NOAA still cautions potential for "major" spring flooding along Mississippi River
MINNEAPOLIS -- National weather officials say flooding along the Mississippi River this spring could be the worst seen since 2001.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Thursday updated its spring flooding outlook, including for mainstem Mississippi River from the Twin Cities down to Keokuk, Iowa. The agency said that the threat remains largely as it was the last time they issued an outlook two weeks ago.
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According to NOAA, the flood potential for this segment of the river is "well above normal" and flood risk numbers indicate flooding could be the worst seen in over 20 years in portions of the Mississippi.
"The snow water content of the snow is quite robust for the 3rd week of March. Widespread water content amounts of 5 to 5.5 inches remain in place for a large portion of Minnesota and southeast North Dakota," the outlook said.
Riverfront cities are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. On Thursday, MnDOT crews placed 84 concrete barriers, each weighing 3,500 lbs., along the St. Croix river walking trails and lift bridge in downtown Stillwater.
The barriers are there to keep people away from flood prone area. They're also putting barriers on top of the lift bridge to weigh it down if the waters rise up too high.
"We appreciate everything they do to keep us all safe down here," said Chuck Dougherty, the owner of Charlie's Irish Pub and Waterstreet Inn, located right in front of the lift bridge.
Dougherty says this is something they expect to happen every few years, so he's used to it and plans to keep is businesses open.
"We have sump pumps that pumps [water] back out into the storm sewer, and the pump will just be working a little bit harder," said Doughtery.
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The City of Stillwater plans to build a temporary berm next week, and volunteers have signed up to fill sand bags to work in conjunction with the concrete barriers.
"The football coaches get together and we sign up for shifts to sandbag along the river to try to protect the roads, business and parking lots. We try to do our part and we try to enlist our football players as well," said Bruce Brevitz, one of the Stillwater Ponies football coaches.
Brevitz is taking his dog along the river for one last walk for awhile, as the trails will be closed until the flooding risk is over. He's grateful though that this closure will help keep his hometown safe.
"This is the lifeblood of town and it's a great place to be and if it inconveniences us for three weeks, it's not a big deal," said Brevitz.
NOAA says cooler temperatures in recent weeks have prevented much, if any, of the current snow to melt, and the additional precipitation hasn't helped matters. Repeated major storm systems, which have included both snow and rain, have led to the higher flooding risk, officials said.
NOAA added that 155 forecast points in the North Central River Forecast Center are at a 50% or greater chance for flooding through late May, with 22 sites at a better-than-half chance for major flooding, including a few sites within the Twin Cities metro area.
