Impact From Torrential Rain May Linger Into The Weekend
Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) – Parts of southeast Minnesota are dealing with the aftermath of periods of rain that began Thursday and continued into Friday morning.
The heaviest rain fell between 1:00 AM and 6:00 AM Friday and led to widespread flooding. Totals in Dodge, Fillmore, and Olmsted counties were generally in the 4 - 7 inch range.
Major roads in the Rochester area were among those affected. Southbound Highway 63 in south Rochester was closed between Highway 52 and near the airport for a few hours Friday morning. Stretches of Highway 14 in Dodge and Olmsted counties were affected and numerous rural roads may be closed through Saturday, including those in the Oxbow Park area. A farmer in the Oxbow Park area reported losing 30- 40 head of cattle because of flooding.
The heavy rain closed the Rochester Airport for several hours as water covered the runways.
The National Weather Service reports the hardest hit area was west of Rochester, near Oxbow Park where totals were in the 5 - 6 inch range.
The Rochester airport set a record with nearly 5 inches of rain between midnight and 6:00 AM, the highest daily total for the month of June. It was also the 6th highest daily total, almost as much as the amount that fell Aug. 18, 2007, when the city was hit by torrential rain that led to hundreds of flooded basements and other problems.
Rivers and creeks will likely remain high through the weekend and public safety officials are urging residents and motorists to be careful.
Here's an update from the Olmsted County Public Works Dept:
Due to the amount of recent rain we have received, the following roads are closed:
The intersection of County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 4 and CSAH 5 for 2000 feet in all directions
The intersection of CSAH 5 and CSAH 25 for 2000 feet in all directions
CSAH 14 in Genoa
County Road 150 from CSAH 25 south for 5000 feet
CR 105 at 88th Avenue NW and 85th Street NW
CR 105 between 110th Ave NW and CSAH 4
CR 103 from the intersection with CR 105 for 2000 feet east
There may be other locations throughout the county experiencing local flooding.
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