Storms start to move out of Minnesota, continue for western Wisconsin

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Repeated rounds of thunderstorms late Thursday and early Friday brought flooding rain to parts of central Minnesota, along with hail and high winds. 

The National Weather Service relayed a report from law enforcement officials on Friday morning "that the Little Elk River is flooding in the town of Randall. Some residences are being evacuated ... due to the flooding."

The Morrison County Sheriff's Office reported early Friday that U.S. Highway 10 near Randall was "completely flooded across both the northbound and southbound lanes." 

As of Friday afternoon, the Minnesota Department of Transportation said that Highway 10 remained closed to traffic between Little Falls and Motley. There was no word on when the highway might reopen; traffic was being detoured on highways 371 and 210.

MnDOT said other roads may be closed due to high water in the area, with as much as a foot of rain reported in the Randall area.

The Weather Service said more heavy rainfall is possible in that area on Friday night.

Weather observers reported more than 4 inches of rain late Thursday into early Friday in St. Cloud, where some streets were flooded as storm water drains were unable to keep up with the deluge. 

There were reports of stalled vehicles after drivers tried to go through standing water — including near Lake George in downtown St. Cloud. 

Erin Tufte, Stearns County's emergency management director, said Friday morning that there had been no reports of injuries, but drivers should avoid driving through flooded areas.

"For the most part, that flooding is being managed. There are some road closures and barricades up so we certainly ask people to use caution when traveling," she said. 

Elsewhere in central and northern Minnesota, flash flood warnings were in effect overnight in parts of Morrison and Crow Wing counties. Hail larger than golf-ball-size was reported Thursday night in the Brainerd area. 

There's a chance for more severe weather across much of Minnesota Friday evening and overnight. Forecasters say northwest Minnesota has the greatest chance for severe storms. 

MPR News Staff

Author

Repeated rounds of thunderstorms late Thursday and early Friday brought flooding rain to parts of central Minnesota, along with hail and high winds.

Roads closed due to flooding after storms in central Minnesota

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