Just as celebrations of "ideal conditions" and the "perfect melt" began creeping into talk of the spring flood season in Minnesota, the reminder that spring can be unpredictable has arrived: Several forecasts suggest the state might be in for a walloping wintry storm by the end of the week.
While cities and towns in the southern part of the state slowly exhale as floodwaters slowly recede, they do so with caution. Heavy rain or snow could cause the rivers to rise and crest yet again. And in the Red River Valley in northwestern Minnesota, forecasters expect a series of crests downriver beginning this weekend.
The south-central Minnesota town of Henderson is throwing its first-ever Flood Fest to embrace the flood that's closed off crucial roads, and to call attention to the need for flood mitigation. Meanwhile, in the Red River Valley, all eyes are on the gauges.
Dry weather and a slow snow melt has lowered the flood risk for the cities along the Red River. But just beyond them, across the countryside, farmers and rural residents are still preparing for flooding that might isolate them for days.
A steady stream of spectators gathered at downtown overlooks and at Harriet Island Regional Park in St. Paul on Sunday afternoon to witness the power of the Mississippi River in flood stage.
The Mississippi River was expected to reach it’s spring crest at St. Paul Sunday evening. It seems appropriate that a few snowflakes floated down from the skies like celebratory confetti early Sunday evening in parts of the metro area. We can now look forward to a slowly-falling Mississippi River level at St. Paul as we…
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