Minnesota Weather: Overnight Deluge Leads To Flash Flooding In Southern Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Heavy rainfall overnight in southeastern Minnesota, where up to 8 inches of rain drenched some areas, has caused extensive flooding, leading to numerous road closures.
The National Weather Service says portions of Dodge, Olmsted and Fillmore counties will experience flash flooding throughout the day Friday. Cities affected include Stewartville, Chatfield, Fillmore, Marion, Pleasant Grove, Washington, Chester, and Predmore.
After the heavy rainfall Thursday night, flooding is occurring across portions of southeast Minnesota. Portions of Dodge, Olmsted and Fillmore Counties will continue to experience flooding problems through today. Obey all posted road closures and do not drive into flood waters! pic.twitter.com/rMuUs2ZGVW
— NWS La Crosse (@NWSLaCrosse) June 28, 2019
On social media, residents in the Rochester area posted images of cars in parking lots almost completely submerged by floodwaters. In Oxbow Park, one Facebook user posted video of cows being swept downstream.
Also, Donny Ehlenfeldt captured video of cows swept away by flooding in Oxbow Park. KIMT reported that a number of the cows were saved.
COWS SWEPT AWAY: This dramatic video was taken in Oxbow Park in southeastern Minnesota, where up to 8 inches of rain fell overnight causing severe flooding.
— WCCO - CBS Minnesota (@WCCO) June 28, 2019
Credit: Donny Ehlenfeldt pic.twitter.com/zqVXDwJ1Bm
Law enforcement and weather officials are urging drivers in the area to not go around barricades on flooded roads, as the majority of flooding deaths occur when vehicles get stuck in floodwaters.
The National Weather Service says the Rochester International Airport received 4.9 inches of rain since 1 a.m. Friday, making it the wettest June day on record. There was so much rain at the airport that runways flooded and the airport briefly closed.