Alert archive / Minnesota / Areal Flood Warnings in 2011

Areal Flood Warning 2, NWS Twin Cities, MN

March 20, 2011Le Sueur County, Scott County, Sibley County, Minnesota

NWS Twin Cities, MN issued this areal flood warning at Mar 20, 2011, 11:26 PM CDT for Le Sueur County, Scott County, Sibley County, Minnesota. It was in force for 24 hr. 2 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Mar 20, 2011, 11:26 PM CDT (04:26 UTC)
Expired
Mar 21, 2011, 11:30 PM CDT
In force
24 hr
Issued by
NWS Twin Cities, MN
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Le Sueur County, MN, Scott County, MN, Sibley County, MN

The radar

The Minneapolis radar (KMPX), 42 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 04:29 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Mar 21, 7:26 AM CDTFLOODHenderson, MNWATER STILL RISING FROM ICE JAM ON MINNESOTA RIVER. WATER NOW COVERS HIGHWAY 19. ROAD REMAINS CLOSED. LOCAL OFFICIALS ALSO WATCHING HIGHWAY 93 FOR POSSIBLE CLOSURE LATER IF WATER CONTINUES TO RISE.
Mar 21, 5:23 PM CDTFLOODHenderson, MNICE JAM ON THE RUSH RIVER THAT EXTENDS FROM THE MINNESOTA RIVER UP THE RUSH RIVER TO THE WEST. WATER AND ICE HAS FLOODED COUNTY ROAD 93.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 00:00Z, 4.4 hours before the alert went out and 41 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Minneapolis, MN at 00:00Z on 2011-03-21Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Minneapolis, MN at 00:00Z on 2011-03-21The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 35 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
481 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
53 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
35 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
43 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

750 
WGUS43 KMPX 210426
FLWMPX

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
1126 PM CDT SUN MAR 20 2011

MNC079-139-143-220430-
/O.NEW.KMPX.FA.W.0002.110321T0426Z-110322T0430Z/
/00000.0.IJ.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
SCOTT MN-SIBLEY MN-LE SUEUR MN-
1126 PM CDT SUN MAR 20 2011

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN THE TWIN CITIES HAS ISSUED A

* FLOOD WARNING FOR ICE JAM FLOODING IN...
  EAST CENTRAL SIBLEY COUNTY IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA...
  EXTREME SOUTHWESTERN SCOTT COUNTY IN EAST CENTRAL MINNESOTA...
  NORTHWESTERN LE SUEUR COUNTY IN SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA...

* UNTIL 1130 PM CDT MONDAY

* AT 1123 PM CDT...EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORTED AN ICE JAM FORMING 
  ALONG THE HIGHWAY 19 BRIDGE NEAR HENDERSON. DUE TO THIS ICE 
  JAM...THE HIGHWAY 19 BRIDGE IS CLOSED AT HENDERSON. IF 
  CONDITIONS WARRANT...AND IF THE ICE JAM CONTINUES...PARTS OF 
  HIGHWAY 93 NEAR HENDERSON WILL FLOOD. UNTIL THE ICE JAM IS CLEARED 
  OR BREAKS UP...THE AREAL FLOOD WARNING WILL CONTINUE. 

* SOME LOCATIONS THAT WILL EXPERIENCE FLOODING INCLUDE...HENDERSON.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF FLOOD WATERS. ONLY A FEW INCHES OF
RAPIDLY FLOWING WATER CAN QUICKLY CARRY AWAY YOUR VEHICLE. TURN
AROUND... DONT DROWN!

&&

LAT...LON 4459 9387 4449 9387 4449 9392 4458 9393

$$

JLT
4 follow-up statements
328 
WGUS83 KMPX 210513
FLSMPX

FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
1213 AM CDT MON MAR 21 2011

MNC079-139-143-220430-
/O.CON.KMPX.FA.W.0002.000000T0000Z-110322T0430Z/
/00000.0.IJ.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
SCOTT MN-SIBLEY MN-LE SUEUR MN-
1213 AM CDT MON MAR 21 2011

...FLOOD WARNING FOR ICE JAM FLOODING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR EXTREME
NORTHWESTERN LE SUEUR...EAST CENTRAL SIBLEY AND EXTREME SOUTHWESTERN
SCOTT COUNTIES UNTIL 1130 PM CDT MONDAY...

AT 1209 AM CDT...EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORTED THAT AN ICE JAM HAS 
CAUSED THE MINNESOTA RIVER TO RISE SIGNIFICANTLY...AND TO FLOOD 
HIGHWAY 19 EAST OF THE HIGHWAY 19 BRIDGE AT HENDERSON. IN 
ADDITION...IF THE ICE JAM CAUSES MORE FLOOD WATERS TO BACKUP SOUTH 
OF THE BRIDGE...PORTIONS OF HIGHWAY 93...APPROXIMATELY TWO MILES 
SOUTH OF HENDERSON WILL CLOSE. UNTIL THE ICE JAM IS CLEARED OR 
BREAKS UP...THE AREAL FLOOD WARNING WILL CONTINUE. 

SOME LOCATIONS THAT WILL EXPERIENCE FLOODING INCLUDE...HENDERSON.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF FLOOD WATERS. ONLY A FEW INCHES OF
RAPIDLY FLOWING WATER CAN QUICKLY CARRY AWAY YOUR VEHICLE.

&&

LAT...LON 4459 9387 4449 9387 4449 9392 4458 9393

$$

JLT
179 
WGUS83 KMPX 211536
FLSMPX

FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
1036 AM CDT MON MAR 21 2011

MNC079-139-143-220430-
/O.CON.KMPX.FA.W.0002.000000T0000Z-110322T0430Z/
/00000.0.IJ.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
SCOTT MN-SIBLEY MN-LE SUEUR MN-
1036 AM CDT MON MAR 21 2011

...FLOOD WARNING FOR ICE JAM FLOODING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR EXTREME 
NORTHWESTERN LE SUEUR...EAST CENTRAL SIBLEY AND EXTREME SOUTHWESTERN 
SCOTT COUNTIES UNTIL 1130 PM CDT MONDAY...

AT 726 AM CDT...FIRE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS IN HENDERSON REPORTED THAT 
WATER LEVELS ON THE MINNESOTA RIVER WERE CONTINUING TO RISE AT 
HENDERSON...DUE TO AN ICE JAM. WATER WAS FLOWING OVER HIGHWAY 19 
EAST OF THE HIGHWAY 19 BRIDGE AT HENDERSON. THE ROAD REMAINS CLOSED. 

LOCAL OFFICIALS ALSO ADVISED THAT IF THE ICE JAM CAUSES ADDITIONAL  
WATER TO BACKUP SOUTH OF THE BRIDGE...PORTIONS OF HIGHWAY 93  
APPROXIMATELY TWO MILES SOUTH OF HENDERSON WILL CLOSE. 

UNTIL THE ICE JAM IS CLEARED OR BREAKS UP...THE AREAL FLOOD WARNING 
WILL CONTINUE. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE
ROADWAY. THE WATER DEPTH MAY BE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW YOUR CAR TO CROSS
SAFELY.

REPORT FLOODING TO THE NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY SO THAT THEY
MAY TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION TO CLOSE FLOODED ROADWAYS. THEY WILL
RELAY YOUR REPORT TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN THE TWIN CITIES.

&&

LAT...LON 4459 9387 4449 9387 4449 9392 4458 9393

$$

MARGRAF
553 
WGUS83 KMPX 212257
FLSMPX

FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
557 PM CDT MON MAR 21 2011

MNC079-139-143-220430-
/O.CON.KMPX.FA.W.0002.000000T0000Z-110322T0430Z/
/00000.0.IJ.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
SCOTT MN-SIBLEY MN-LE SUEUR MN-
557 PM CDT MON MAR 21 2011

...FLOOD WARNING FOR ICE JAM FLOODING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR EXTREME
NORTHWESTERN LE SUEUR...EAST CENTRAL SIBLEY AND EXTREME SOUTHWESTERN
SCOTT COUNTIES UNTIL 1130 PM CDT...

AT 530 PM CDT...LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS REPORTED THAT AN 
ADDITIONAL ICE JAM HAD FORMED ON THE RUSH RIVER SOUTH OF HENDERSON...
UPSTREAM FROM THE MINNESOTA RIVER. IT IS LIKELY THAT ICE HAS BACKED 
UP ALONG THE RUSH RIVER...FROM THE MINNESOTA RIVER. THIS HAS CAUSED 
HIGHWAY 93 TO BE CLOSED...NORTH OF LE SUEUR TO HENDERSON. THE ICE 
JAM ALONG THE MINNESOTA RIVER NEAR HENDERSON HAS BROKEN UP.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE
ROADWAY. THE WATER DEPTH MAY BE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW YOUR CAR TO CROSS
SAFELY.

REPORT FLOODING TO THE NEAREST LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY SO THAT THEY
MAY TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION TO CLOSE FLOODED ROADWAYS. THEY WILL
RELAY YOUR REPORT TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN THE TWIN CITIES.

&&

LAT...LON 4459 9387 4449 9387 4449 9392 4458 9393

$$
JPR/DFC
302 
WGUS83 KMPX 220425
FLSMPX

FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
1125 PM CDT MON MAR 21 2011

MNC079-139-143-220439-
/O.EXP.KMPX.FA.W.0002.000000T0000Z-110322T0430Z/
/00000.0.IJ.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
SCOTT MN-SIBLEY MN-LE SUEUR MN-
1125 PM CDT MON MAR 21 2011

...THE FLOOD WARNING THAT WAS IN EFFECT FOR EXTREME NORTHWESTERN LE
SUEUR...EAST CENTRAL SIBLEY AND EXTREME SOUTHWESTERN SCOTT COUNTIES
WILL BE ALLOWED TO EXPIRE AT 1130 PM CDT...

PLEASE REFER TO THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ROAD 
CONDITION SITE FOR INFORMATION RELATED TO COUNTY AND STATE HIGHWAYS 
THAT ARE CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING. ALTHOUGH ICE JAMS CAN QUICKLY FORM 
ACROSS THE WARNED AREA...THE SPECIFIC ICE JAM NEAR HENDERSON THAT 
CAUSED HIGHWAY 19 BETWEEN HENDERSON AND HIGHWAY 169 TO CLOSE...HAS 
BROKEN UP. 

LAT...LON 4459 9387 4449 9387 4449 9392 4458 9393

$$

JLT

The office that day

Everything else NWS Twin Cities, MN issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 21, 3:20 PM CDTWinter Storm WarningMPXAnoka, Benton, Carver, Chippewa, Chisago, Douglas and 22 more52 hr
Mar 21, 3:30 PM CDTFlood WatchMPXAnoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, McLeod, Ramsey and 4 more31 hr
Mar 21, 3:38 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningMPXBlue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Freeborn, Goodhue, Le Sueur and 8 more7 days
Mar 21, 5:01 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningMPXGoodhue54 hr

Nearby

Areal Flood Warnings in Minnesota, 2011Every areal flood warning in 2011

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.