Frigid temperatures this weekend prompt cold weather advisories

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

Volunteers and National Guard soldiers are struggling to keep up with the demand for sandbags as the water rises around Rainy Lake in northern Minnesota. 

Koochiching County Sheriff Perryn Hedlund said about 500 homes are threatened as the water approaches historic levels. 

"1950, that was the all time high; 2014 was the second highest, so we went past 2014, and we are approaching 1950 levels,” Hedlund told MPR News on Sunday. “If the lake continues to rise at the current rate we'll hit that, you know, within this week."

Hedlund says it's unclear how high the water will go, and rain forecast for the next several days will likely put more homes and businesses in harm's way.

Minnesota Department of Transportation crews raised the grade of State Highway 11 over the weekend. The work allowed the roadway to reopen, providing access once again to resorts in the International Falls area. Authorities urged drivers to use caution and pay attention to signage when traveling through the area. 

The county is also urging property owners to secure items being used to weigh down docks. There’s a risk things like water tanks, barrels and totes could float away when water rises, posing serious hazards. 

Minnesota News

Dan Gunderson

Author

Rainy Lake is expected to exceed its all-time record level, set in 1950, later this week. 

Rainy Lake water levels approach historic highs

Go Deeper.

Like this?