Goodhue County part of disaster declaration
Area News-- Goodhue County was among eight across the state included in an executive order by Gov. Mark Dayton declaring a state of emergency this week due to storm and flood damage.
RED WING - Goodhue County was among eight across the state included in an executive order by Gov. Mark Dayton declaring a state of emergency this week due to storm and flood damage.
The worst of the effects seem to be close to an end in the local area, but northern Minnesota is just beginning to recover from flash flooding.
The declaration allows for emergency vehicles to transport supplies and materials to the affected areas. It also permits activating the Minnesota National Guard if needed.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has asked Federal Emergency Management Administration teams to work with local and state representatives to conduct damage assessments in 14 Minnesota counties, including Goodhue and Dakota, and the Fond du Lac band of Ojibwe.
The Duluth area was ravaged after rains earlier this week caused massive flooding.
Goodhue County’s troubles started late last week, when a string of storms deluged some areas with up to 9 inches of rain.
The storms caused the local waters to swell, especially in Cannon Falls. Rain also saturated the ground, setting the stage for road damage and flooding after more waves of rain came through.
High winds also downed trees and power lines and damaged property.
Locally, the Mississippi River is expected to crest at about 12.3 feet by Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. Predictions show a very gradual dip in the following days. Flood stage is 14 at Red Wing.
Levee Road between Broad and Jackson streets and Ikata Drive closed Friday due to high water, Red Wing Public Works announced. The boat ramp at Colvill Park will close Monday morning. Areas of Colvill Park also will be restricted, and the park could be closed completely depending on water levels.
Staff will monitor levels and make closure decisions accordingly. Barricades and signs will be in place to restrict access where needed.
Local crews are also working to repair the storm damage.
The Cannon Valley Trail remains closed as significant repairs are made. It could be a few weeks before the Red Wing access to the trail reopens, trail manager Scott Roepke said earlier this week.
Goodhue County Road 7 near County Road 41 remained closed as of Friday afternoon due to road erosion.
County Road 7 has at least three separate areas that are going to take “major repairs” to fix, Goodhue County Public Works Director Greg Isakson said.
The right lane of Highway 52 near Cannon Falls closed Thursday so crews could repair the Little Cannon River Bridge, but it was expected to reopen for the weekend.
Dakota County 68/Goodhue County 18 also reopened Thursday.
Drier, calmer weather is coming soon. Today carries a slight chance of thunderstorms in Red Wing, but sunny skies fill the rest of the National Weather Service forecast for the next few days.
Tags: news, minnesota, weather
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