Latest flood predictions put Shakopee and Jordan on alert

The newest National Weather Service flood predictions target Scott County towns Shakopee and Jordan. Both Minnesota River towns are the most likely to be the hardest hit by rising water levels this spring.

Scott County Emergency Management director Chris Weldon said there's a sense of fatigue and frustration among officials preparing for yet another flood season along the Minnesota River. Weldon said residents are preparing themselves as much as possible.

"The possibility of, you know, you'll need to stay on that side of the river. Employers are already looking at that, so the idea that it's going to be a record flood is causing people to think ahead which is good," Weldon said.

The National Weather Service forecasts show Shakopee with a 40 percent chance of breaking its 722-foot flood record. Jordan has a 38 percent chance of rising above its record of 35 feet.

Scott County's Weldon is concerned about what would happen if bridges and roads have to close during flood season.

"We have one road that usually stays open -- or one bridge that usually stays open -- and we're very concerned that we're going to lose that, which means we have only one way basically in and out of the county to the north, which is 169," he said. "Our infrastructure is our biggest concern along with the problems for commuters and our businesses."