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Wabasha, Mn (KROC-AM News) - The latest flood forecast for the Mississippi River in southeastern Minnesota is predicting the water will rise to a level where moderate flooding occurs by early next week.

Based on current information, forecasters say there is an 80 to 90% chance of moderate flooding and in some areas, the risk of major flooding is as high as 65%. People living and working along the river are being told to prepare for the possibility that the flooding could be comparable to or worse than what occurred in 2001, which was the worst year for flooding along the Mississippi River since the record flood of 1965.

National Weather Service
National Weather Service
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The seven-day forecast has the river reaching flood stage at Lake City Saturday night or early Sunday. At Wabasha, flood stage should be reached by early Friday at the river is predicted to rise into the moderate flood range by early Monday. The water levels are also predicted to reach moderate flooding stage at Winona and La Crosse by early next week. The predictions are based on the existing snowpack and would likely be revised higher if the region sees additional precipitation.

National Weather Service
National Weather Service
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According to the National Weather Service, moderate flooding will push water over some roadways and buildings near the river and could result in some evacuations.

Forecasters say it remains too early to predict the timing and height of the flood crest from the spring snowmelt, but it will likely occur during the third or fourth week of April and there is a high likelihood that the peak flooding will be among the five highest on record in the region.

A flood warning has already been posted along the Mississippi River in Wabasha County and Buffalo County in Wisconsin. Additional flood watches and warnings are expected to be issued by the National Weather Service later this week.

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