Heavy Rains Spawn Road Closures & Flood Warning Across Southeast MN
Officials implore motorists to "turn around, don't drown," when coming across flooded roadways.
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Heavy rainfall has prompted flooding throughout southeastern Minnesota.
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The rainfall Sunday night into Monday morning has led to the closure of multiple roads.
Multiple communities in southeastern Minnesota have received more than four inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service. The agency has also issued a Flood Warning.
4+ Inches of Rain Reported in Past 48 Hours Across Southeastern MN, Road Closure & Flood Warning Issued
A report published shortly after 8:00 Monday morning indicates communities in Olmsted, Mower and Fillmore Counties have received more than four inches of rain in the past 48 hours.
The heavy rains have prompted the closure of Hwy. 63 northbound south of Spring Valley. The Minnesota Department of Transportation anticipates the closure to last into Tuesday morning.
Overnight in Austin, police warned residents to stay home due to multiple streets flooding.
The waters have since receded, according to a post on the department’s Facebook page.
A Flood Warning in Austin begins at 11:00 Monday morning for areas along Dobbins Creek. The warning is scheduled to expire by Tuesday afternoon. Minor flooding is expected.
Flooding has also hit Spring Valley. The Minnesota Department of Transportation says water has flooded Hwy. 63.
So far the highest reported total in southeast Minnesota is in Harmony, where 7.25 inches have fallen, according to the National Weather Service.
The heavy rain flooded Niagara Cave. A post on the cave's Facebook page says some parts of it are not assessable and they're advising anyone with tours scheduled Monday to consider picking a different date.
The latest report includes a measurement of 4.24 inches of rain in Rochester and 4.19 inches in Waltham. The official 48-hour rain total at the Rochester Airport is 0.85 inches.
Officials implore motorists to "turn around, don't drown," when coming across flooded roadways.
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