Torrential rain causes flooding, mudslides in southern Minnesota
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Torrential rain caused mudslides and sent creeks and rivers out of their banks across much of south-central and southeast Minnesota late Friday and early Saturday.
The National Weather Service received reports of more than 8 inches of rain overnight near Spring Valley, more than 7 inches at Lanesboro and Ellendale, and more than 6 inches near Caledonia, Preston, Chatfield and New Richland.
In Spring Valley, Mayor Justin Mlinar reported just after 6 a.m. Saturday that all streets were closed due to flooding. Photos posted to social media showed floodwaters flowing along streets in the city’s downtown, near Spring Valley City Hall.
Some streets reopened by mid-morning as the floodwaters receded.
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Officials in New Richland reported flooding in that city, and offered sandbags to residents who needed them. The city urged drivers to not try driving on flooded roads.
“Please respect road closures, barricades, and warnings and our staff and volunteers,” the city reported just after 7 a.m.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation also reported flooding affecting state highways near New Richland and Spring Valley. The Waseca County Sheriff’s Office released a list of local roads closed due to flooding.
State Highway 16 was closed east of Lanesboro for several hours on Saturday morning after a rain-soaked hillside gave way, sending mud and debris across the road. The highway reopened by mid-morning, but flooding continued along the Root River.
The Old Barn Resort between Lanesboro and Preston reported “severe” flooding of its riverside golf course, and said the course would be closed until further notice.
Other parts of the resort, and downtown Lanesboro, remained open Saturday.
The National Weather Service also received reports of mudslides overnight along State Highway 76 near Caledonia. Police in Hokah reported that floodwaters encroached on State Highways 16 and 44 in town, and that the area around Como Falls was closed Saturday morning.
Find updates on highway closures on MnDOT’s 511 website.
There were no immediate reports of injuries from the flooding.
Flood warnings are in effect for stretches of the Cedar and Root rivers through the weekend, with minor river flooding expected from the storm runoff.
Find forecast updates on MPR Weather’s Updraft blog.
Some of the communities affected by this weekend’s flooding also saw significant flash flooding earlier this year — on July 2, and again on July 8.
