Helicopter Rescues 5 From Thomson

THOMSON, Minn. (AP) — The U.S. Coast Guard is using resources from around the Great Lakes to help rescue flooding victims in Minnesota.

Coast Guard Lt. Adam Saurin (SOR'-en), in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., says the agency brought in an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Traverse City, Mich., to rescue five people from the raging water in the small community of Thomson, southwest of Duluth, on Thursday night. Floodwater prevented residents of the St. Louis River community of 160 from leaving their homes.

Saurin says a Coast Guard airboat from Duluth and another from Bayfield, Wis., helped rescue 12 people from the Fond du Lac neighborhood in Duluth. He says another airboat from the Detroit area is on its way to flood-affected areas.

Duluth officials say it's still not safe for about 200 evacuated residents to return to their homes.

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