Rescues reported, highways closed after flash flooding in southern Minnesota
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Authorities in southern Minnesota said several people and pets were rescued Wednesday night after being trapped in their homes due to flash flooding.
Parts of Interstate 90 were closed overnight as floodwaters continued to cover the freeway — but Austin police said the interstate reopened around sunrise.
The National Weather Service said 4 to 7 inches of rain fell in Mower County in just a few hours Wednesday.
The Mower County Sheriff’s Office said it “received several calls reporting subjects trapped in their homes in both Adams and LeRoy needing assistance in safely getting out. All people and pets were assisted to safety unharmed.”
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The city of LeRoy asked residents to limit water use, as the city’s sewer system struggled to handle the torrential rain.
The storms also swamped the city of Austin — with streets and basements flooded. Flood warnings were in effect Thursday for the Cedar River and local creeks.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation said I-90 was closed in both directions overnight due to water over the freeway near the 11th Drive exit on the east side of Austin. Austin police said it reopened Thursday morning.
Another stretch of the freeway was closed east of Austin, between the Brownsdale and Dexter exits. MnDOT’s 511 map showed that also reopened early Thursday.
The Mower County Sheriff’s Office said damage assessments will take place across the county on Thursday and Friday.
Austin and surrounding areas also saw flash flooding last Thursday morning, July 2 — 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.
