Flash flooding swamps Austin, forces closure of Interstate 90
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
Torrential rain led to flash flooding in parts of southern Minnesota on Wednesday, forcing the closure of a stretch of Interstate 90 for the second time in less than a week.
The city of Austin was particularly hard-hit by this latest round of heavy rain. The National Weather Service said the city had received between 4 and 7 inches of rain as of about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, with more falling.
“Water is fully over the roads in many low areas,” the Austin Police Department reported just before 5 p.m. “Basically, all streets are flooded. There isn’t anything the city can do with the amount of rain in such a short time. Wait it out, stay home.”
Authorities also cautioned people to watch for open manholes, because the flooding may have removed the covers.
Turn Up Your Support
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.
In an update just after 6 p.m., Austin police said I-90 was closed in both directions due to water over the freeway near the 11th Drive exit on the east side of the city.
At 7 p.m., the Minnesota Department of Transportation said I-90 also was closed east of Austin, between the Brownsdale and Dexter exits.
It was not immediately clear when the interstate would reopen. Check MnDOT’s 511 map for updates.
MnDOT also said high water was affecting State Highway 56 near Adams, and highways 56 and 63 just north of the Iowa state line.
Austin and surrounding areas also saw flash flooding last Thursday morning, which forced the temporary closure of I-90 east of the city.
That flooding on July 2 also caused damage at some state parks in southeast Minnesota. The Department of Natural Resources said Beaver Creek Valley State Park near Caledonia remains closed in the wake of the flooding, as crews are still working to clear debris and assess road and bridge damage. The park is expected to reopen next week.
