Locals endure monthslong emotional grind of living beside flooding Rainy Lake

Sand barriers are seen
According to Gary Sullivan, all water reaching Rainy Lake comes from a drainage area 150 miles in diameter. Every inch of rain translates to a rise of the lake of about seven inches. Together with several heavy rainstorms recently, the extreme high snowpack in winter, single digit temperatures in April, and rain on frozen ground shortly thereafter all contributed to the extreme flooding local residents face.
Monika Lawrence for MPR News