The Minnesota River remained above 800 feet on Friday, prompting National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists in Chanhassen, Minnesota, to extend a flood warning for the area.
Why It Matters
Flooding is the second-deadliest weather hazard in the U.S. behind extreme heat.
The Minnesota River entered flood stage at the end of June after multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms dumped water across western Minnesota. NWS meteorologist Tyler Hasenstein told Newsweek that “all that water ended up in the Minnesota River,” which then traveled downstream toward New Ulm.
The extended flood warning comes as the nation reels from the deadly floods that swept through Central Texas last weekend, killing more than 100 people. Earlier this week, excessive rainfall prompted floods across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and New Mexico.
What To Know
As of Friday, the Minnesota River at New Ulm was measured at 800.5 feet. The New Ulm flooding affects Brown, Nicollet and Blue Earth counties.
The Minnesota River remained in flood stage at several other as well, including near Jordan, affecting Carver, Sibley and Scott counties; Granite Falls, affecting Renville, Yellow Medicine and Chippewa counties; Morton, affecting Renville and Redwood counties; and Montevideo, affecting Lac qui Parle, Yellow Medicine and Chippewa counties.
River forecast data from the National Water Center anticipates that the Minnesota River will remain in minor flood stage at the New Ulm gauge through the weekend.
The flood warning urged people to exercise caution when walking near riverbanks as water levels remain swollen.
“Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads,” the flood warning said. “Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.”
Some isolated thunderstorms and rain showers are possible through the weekend, but Hasenstein said it’s unlikely the incoming moisture will worsen the Minnesota River flooding.
What People Are Saying
NWS meteorologist Tyler Hasenstein told Newsweek: “It’s not necessarily normal for this time of year, but it is something that does happen if not every year, every other year. The Minnesota River sucks up a lot of moisture from surrounding areas.”
NWS Chanhassen in a hazardous weather outlook: “Scattered thunderstorms will develop this afternoon and evening across central and southern Minnesota. A few stronger storms will be possible, with a threat of damaging wind gusts and large hail.”
What Happens Next
The river is expected to dip below flood stage by Sunday. People in the impacted areas are urged to remain on alert and follow local weather guidance.
The post Flood Warning Extended as Minnesota River Measured at 800 Feet appeared first on Newsweek.
