Heavy rain causes flash flooding in NW Minnesota, eastern North Dakota
Torrential rain caused flash flooding early Saturday across parts of northwestern Minnesota and eastern North Dakota, including the Grand Forks area where high water forced the closure of Interstate 29.
As of 7 a.m. Saturday, the North Dakota Highway Patrol reported that I-29 was closed between exits 141 and 145 due to flooding on the freeway north of U.S. Highway 2.
And authorities reported street flooding overnight, including near the University of North Dakota campus where a stretch of University Avenue was closed due to flooding. The National Weather Service received reports of cars stalled in ankle- to knee-deep water in Grand Forks.
The Weather Service reported more than 5 inches of rain overnight through 7 a.m. Saturday at its Grand Forks office.
Flood warnings remain in effect for far northwestern Minnesota and northeastern North Dakota through Saturday afternoon, including Grand Forks, East Grand Forks, Crookston, Thief River Falls and Roseau.
The Weather Service said creeks and rivers in the area will rise Saturday as the heavy rain from overnight moves downstream.
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