Major flood risk edges up for some Minn. towns
The chance of major flooding in parts of Minnesota edged upward in the wake of heavy snow over the Presidents Day weekend.
National Weather Service meteorologist Dan Luna said 12 to 20 inches of snow in the Minnesota and Mississippi River valleys heightened the flood risk to its most severe in at least 10 years.
Thursday's flood update for rivers north of the Minnesota was largely unchanged. The risk of flooding in the Red River Valley rose only slightly from mid-February.
In the metro area, St. Paul's risk of record flooding was raised to 45 percent, up from 15 percent last month. Jordan, to the south, now faces a 50 percent chance of record flooding, up from 20 percent. The risk for Henderson, downstream of Jordan, rose to 45 percent from 18 percent.
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Shakopee is at 40 percent, up from 14 percent. Luna predicted eventual closure of bridges over highways 41 and 101, making commutes difficult for some.
Another storm was forecast to bring as much as 6 inches for the Minneapolis area and southern Minnesota early next week.
Temperatures were expected to be near or below average in the next two weeks, meaning little snowmelt. Luna predicted flooding would begin near the end of March.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
