North Metro Residents Cleaning Up After Heavy Rain, Flooding
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Between their cars and garages, dozens of renters were drying out Thursday at the Springbrook Apartments in Fridley, which got about nine inches of rain overnight in less than five hours.
"If you look right there on the dash and side of the door, you can see the grass and debris from the water finally receded this morning," said Darren Ewing, pointing to wife's car.
Her Grand Marquis spent at least 12 hours submerged in flood waters.
As a Michigan native, Ewing knew Minnesota had a reputation for cold and snow.
A rare fall flood seemed to catch everyone at the Springbrook Apartments off guard.
"Just walking through here, there was a current coming through here," Ewing said. "People were standing in their doorways just looking at their cars and praying."
Maple Grove saw the most of the rain in the metro -- close to 10 inches.
Craig Solem recorded as his street turned into a river.
At one point, MNDoT snow plows pushed the water off Interstate-94 to clear clogged drains.
It was a storm that played the game of miles.
In the south metro, Hazeltine National Golf Club saw a little more than an inch of rain.
Ryder Cup planners couldn't be happier ahead of the tournament next week.
But they are holding their breath with the hope things stay dry.
It's a feeling shared in Fridley, as Ewing waits to see if he'll be shopping for a new car.
"Try to get it dried out and hope for the best," Ewing said.
Experts say some cars can be saved from flood damage but it can be costly.
Sitting in water for so long will likely cause damage to things like the engine and electrical systems.
Still, many at Springbrook Apartments are feeling lucky there were no injuries.