Spring Flooding Concerns Arise A Month Into Winter
SHAKOPEE, Minn. (WCCO) -- Our Minnesota winter is less than a month old but the National Weather Service is already concerned about spring flooding.
Hydrologists believe the conditions are right for a good portion of the state to experience major flooding during the thaw.
How did we get to this point?
A rain-soaked September and record snowfall in December has the National Weather Service sounding the alarm.
"It's going to be another similar to what we had last spring where we're expecting widespread flooding across a good part of the state," said National Weather Service Hydrologist Diane Cooper.
Cooper said the numbers don't lie.
"Anytime you see lots of purple that is not a good sign," said Cooper as she pointed at a flooding graph.
She believes areas that flooded last year could possibly see a repeat this year.
"Right now, we're looking just at over a 60 percent chance of seeing major flood stage at St. Paul," said Cooper.
According to Cooper, there is an explanation for why Minnesota could see major flooding statewide this spring.
"Last year we were in what's called an El Niño which meant the Pacific temperatures were warmer. This year we've completely gone in reverse and we've gone to an El Niña so the Pacific temperatures are cooler," she said.
"In the spring, the water was beyond that stake," said Glenna Crowley, as she pointed to a piece of wood sticking out of the ground, now covered mostly by snow.
Crowley knows all about flooding. For 33 years, she has managed the Valley Haven Park in Shakopee. Most of those years floodwaters have been a problem because of its proximity to the Minnesota River.
The flooding forecast has her making preparations for sandbagging and putting residents on notice about purchasing flood insurance.
"I know that it takes a period of time to get this insurance in place and we want to make sure they have it in place and that they will be covered at the time it should happen," Crowley said.
The National Weather Service said Minnesota is expecting below normal temperatures through March. That could mean a late spring thaw giving way to a longer period of time for the snow to keep piling up.
And when it melts, Cooper expects problems for those who live along rivers in Minnesota.
The National Weather Service will work with emergency managers, FEMA and the Army Corp of Engineers to make sure they know the exact location of the greatest threat of flooding.
WCCO-TV's Reg Chapman Reports
