St. Paul gearing up for possible record flood
St Paul city officials say they are ready for possible record flooding this spring.
They say they're communicating with residents and businesses in flood-prone areas and coordinating with emergency responders on plans.
"The city is moving very quickly," said Rick Larkin, director of the Department of Emergency Operations Management. "We are going to be out meeting with those residents who are at risk and asking them to do ... three things: know your risk, have a plan and stay informed."
The National Weather Service is predicting a 70 percent chance of major flooding, with waters rising higher than 17 feet. The normal height for the Mississippi River in St. Paul is about 4 feet.
If the waters reach "minor flood stage" of 14 feet, the city will begin issuing daily flood e-mail updates for staff and media.
The city has also launched a website with up-to-date flood information.
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