Highlights
- Melting snow from a brutal winter and rains are expected to raise river water levels over next few weeks.
- St. Paul declares local emergency as it preps for expected flooding along the Mississippi River.
- Sandbag efforts in cities along St. Croix River begin Thursday. Bayport calls public meeting for Monday.
- Minnesota is sending CH-47 Chinook helicopter and support to Nebraska to help with flooding efforts there.
With rapid snow melt causing the Mississippi River to rise, St. Paul officials are bracing for spring flooding.
Road closures along Shepard Road are expected as soon as Sunday. The St. Paul Police Department is temporarily moving its impound lot from Barge Channel Road to a site near Maplewood Mall. And parts of Harriet Island might soon be submerged.
Meanwhile, St. Paul Parks and Recreation on Wednesday closed Lilydale Regional Park, Crosby Farm Regional Park and Hidden Falls Regional Park, said Parks and Recreation spokeswoman Clare Cloyd, because of rising river water.
“It’s really the public infrastructure in Lowertown that’s the greatest concern — the parks and some of the government facilities,” said St. Paul Emergency Management director Rich Schute.
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter on Tuesday declared a state of local emergency, which was affirmed Wednesday by a vote of the city council.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
What does that mean? In a nutshell, rapid melt, rising overnight temperatures and heavy rains have the “potential to cause a significant amount of public and private property damage,” according to the resolution approved by the council.
Among other things, the declaration makes the city eligible for state and federal assistance and sets in motion discussions between Ramsey County, St. Paul Public Works and the city’s Parks and Recreation department.
Until now, chilly overnight temperatures have slowed the melt, though a March 11 rain elevated water levels. Nights, however, are getting warmer.
“That snow melt is accelerating,” said Schute, addressing the city council Wednesday.
The emergency declaration “really allows us to take the reasonable and necessary measures to protect the city (and its) structures and residents. … Those with more experience than me are thinking this is lining up to be similar to a 2014 year.” That is the year high waters forced the relocation of the Taste of Minnesota festival from St. Paul to Waconia.
MAJOR FLOOD STAGE
In 2014, the Mississippi crested in St. Paul at 20.13 feet, causing a flurry of wedding cancellations and other complications for river-related events and sites.
The river is at 7.8 feet and rising. Flood stage, which could be reached by Sunday, is technically 14 feet.
RELATED: St. Paul to close several streets in advance of Mississippi River flooding
Based on information from the National Weather Service, Schute said there’s a 95 percent chance of reaching major flood stage, or 17 feet, in coming days.
There’s a 50 percent chance of the river reaching 22 feet. There’s even a 25 percent chance of the river reaching 25 feet, though Schute said it remains unclear when the crest might happen.
The “action stage,” where waters begin entering low-lying parklands and the city begins closing streets, is usually at 10 feet, though Public Works chose to close Water Street and the Lilydale Regional Trail bordering it several days ago amid concerns about rains and runoff.
ST. CROIX FLOOD PREPARATIONS
Volunteer sandbaggers will begin mobilizing Thursday in downtown Stillwater as they prepare for flooding along the St. Croix River. Hundreds have signed up into the weekend.
Meanwhile, officials in the city of Bayport will discuss flood preparations along the St. Croix at a public information meeting at the Bayport Public Library at 5 p.m. Monday.
The meeting will also air live on Valley Access cable television. Information about forecasts, preparation tips, resources, sandbagging efforts and volunteer opportunities will be posted on the city’s website at www.ci.bayport.mn.us.
Flood questions or concerns also may also be directed to City Hall at office@ci.bayport.mn.us or 651-275-4404.
HELPING HAND TO NEBRASKA
As Minnesota officials gear up for flooding, the state has offered its help to Nebraska, where high waters have inundated large portions of that state. Nebraska has declared a peacetime emergency and asked for helicopter support.
“We have heard the call to action and are humbled to lend a helping hand,” Gov. Tim Walz said in a prepared statement.
The Minnesota Army National Guard will send a CH-47 Chinook helicopter with 10 people to help with the Nebraska flood response.
