A weather spotter in Barnes reported 4.5 inches of rain between 5 and 7 p.m., and a spotter near Superior reported in excess of 5 inches of rain with more falling. Local law enforcement is advising anyone near rivers or streams to move to higher ground.
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Rounds of strong thunderstorms sparked flash flooding in parts of the Northland on Monday night – in some of the same areas hit hard by flooding in 2012.
The National Weather Service warns of “widespread road closures” due to flooding and wash outs across the Brainerd Lakes and Aitkin areas.
“We are expecting potentially catastrophic flooding”, the weather service reported.
According to a bulletin from the NWS Monday night, The Mississippi River at Aitkin is expected to see a huge surge in water overnight, and is expected to reach 17.9 feet by daybreak.
At those levels property up and down the Mississippi River would be in grave danger of flooding, and the sewage plant at Aitkin would be inundated and become inoperative.
“We don’t ask this often, but please, share this post and communicate with anyone living in those areas”. Areas to the north saw significantly less rain – International Falls reported only 0.01 inches of rain.
The National Weather Service issued a preliminary report from the July 11 storms, noting there were at least four tornadoes Meeker and Stearns counties. This additional rainfall over already saturated soils will quickly runoff into streams and tributaries.
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“That’s why we had a meeting tonight, right away, to plan for (Tuesday)” in case the waters continued to rise, Mayor Ted Shaw said Monday night. It says between 6 to 9 inches of rain has fallen with an addition 2 to 4 inches expected through 2 a.m.in some areas. Flash Flood Warnings are in effect through 6:00am Tuesday across… nearly all of northwest Wisconsin. Locations that may experience flooding include Brainerd, Mille Lacs Lake, Baxter, Crosby, Breezy Point, Pequot Lakes, Crosslake, Nisswa, Pine River, Emily, Ironton, Deerwood, Pillager, Fifty Lakes, Cuyuna, Garrison, Poplar, Fort Ripley, Merrifield and South Long Lake.
