Southeastern Minnesota still swamped after a deluge of rain
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Updated: 4:21 p.m. | Posted: 12:13 p.m.
After a deluge of rain, cities and towns in southeastern Minnesota are cleaning up debris, pumping water and trying to manage wastewater systems.
Today flooding in St. Clair prompted evacuations as area rivers continue to rise and low land flooding spreads, Emergency Management Officials reported.
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The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for eastern Blue Earth County in south central Minnesota, that will be in effect until 12:45 p.m. Saturday.
In St. Clair, up to a dozen homes and key parts of the city's sewage treatment system have been inundated, said city clerk/treasurer Catherine Seys.
"We have two lift stations and a waste water treatment plant. One of our lift stations and the sewer plant have been compromised," said Seys. "They are covered with water."
In Albert Lea, city officials say they're working to keep water overflowing from Fountain Lake in the center of town from completely swamping roadways.
City Manager Chad Adams said some parts of the city are flooding for the first time ever.
"It's more than just roads, there's different community facilities in the area that just can't be utilized right now," he said.
Adams said there are up to a dozen road closures in the area, particularly around Fountain Lake in the center of town, which is overflowing. Rain also caused a steep hill near a local school to cave in.
Adams said his office is getting an unusually high number of residents reporting sewer backups in their basements, which means the local waste water system isn't able to keep up. Adams said they are diverting waste water into Albert Lea Lake.
Meanwhile, the Cedar River in Austin crested early Friday morning, and roads in the area have been closed according to local officials.
In other parts of the region, officials report that the Zumbro River, Cannon River and the Straight River appear to have crested.
With more rain in the forecast, Faribault Fire Chief Dustin Dienst said he thinks sandbag walls built in his area will be able to withstand another foot of water.
"It's all going to depend how much rain does fall," said Dienst. "I'm hoping (the rain) is going to miss us. If we can get a little bit of dry time, and create some room for (water) storage, I think we'll be OK."
Minnesota U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, whose Minnesota 1st Congressional District covers much of flooded southern Minnesota, will be in Steele and Waseca Counties Friday, touring the damage.
MPR News reporter Mark Steil contributed to this report.
