Flash Flooding in Minnesota, July 10, 2002

Street flooding was widespread in Glenwood, due to four to six quick inches of rain. The most significant flooding occurred in the northeast portion of Glenwood, washing out some alleys and ripping the blacktop off some city streets. The Glenwood Public Works Director measured five inches of rain in one half hour, beginning around 5 am LST.

Four to eight inches rain fell in less than four hours, producing widespread flooding across all but the southwest portion of Stearns County. Several feet of water covered some roads from Sauk Centre to St. Cloud, with many roads closed. Several dozen cars stalled in St. Cloud when people attempted to drive into deep water, and about nine people had to be rescued from vehicles driven into deep water in viaducts. Numerous creeks overflowed their banks. Water was at least two feet deep in several dozen homes and businesses. A house was flooded in Sartell.

Rainfall totaled 3.5 to 7 inches across southeastern Douglas County, producing water over numerous roads from Alexandria to Osakis. County Road 31 between Osakis and Nelson was closed, but no roads were washed out. Numerous basements were flooded.

Rainfall totaling 3.5 to 7 inches was common across all but the far northwest corner of Morrison County. Two to three feet of water covered roads in Bowlus, and several township roads were flooded across the southern and eastern half of the county.

Four to six inches rain produced water over a number of roads, prompting their closure. State Highways 27 and 28 southwest of Long Prairie were flooded, as were several county and township roads. Some streets were flooded in Long Prairie.

Seven to ten inches of rain was common across a large swath of Benton County, from the northwest corner to the southeast. About 30 roads were closed, including State Highway 23 in Foley. A few township roads were washed out. About 3500 sandbags were used in the Foley area. Some basements were flooded. Local agriculture officials estimate that about 10% of the sellable crops in Benton County were destroyed. Numerous creeks in Alberta township (Gilman to Rum River area) rose out of their banks.

Four to seven inches of rain fell, producing water over numerous roads. State highway 169 was closed between Princeton and Zimmerman, and County Road 31 was closed west of Santiago. Several dozen basements were flooded.

Five to ten inches fell across central Kanabec County, prompting the closure of County Road 17 east of Mora. Several township roads were closed, and a number of basements flooded.

Four to nine inches rain resulted in several creeks out of their banks, and approximately two dozen county and township roads were closed across the entire county. State Highway 95 was closed west of Princeton. Several dozen basements were reported flooded with several feet of water.

Four to six inches rain fell across the northeast half of the county. Two to three feet of water flowed across roads near Rockford, prompting the closure of county and township roads. Water pushed debris across County Road 20 near Rockford.

One to two feet water over a number of roads from Fridley to Ramsey. Several businesses along University Avenue in Fridley had their basements flooded. A mudslide occurred near Highway 10 and Round Lake Blvd in Coon Rapids.

Three to four inches rain fell in less than four hours, producing water over several roads, including five feet deep at the intersection of State Highway 100 and County Road 81 in Robbinsdale.