Flash Flooding and Flooding in Minnesota, August 18 to 21, 2007

The cooperative observer 1 mile south-southwest of Hokah reported a rainfall total of 15.60 inches. 12.73 inches of this rain fell between 8 p.m. August 18th and 3 a.m. August 19th, and a new 24-hour record of 15.10 inches set a new state record.

Flooding was limited mostly to ditches. Homes reported with water in basements. Railroad beds were washed out. Reports began coming into the dispatch center around 6 p.m.

Tremendous flash flooding and mudslides covered many highways in the area, including Highway 76 between Money Creek and Houston. Highway bridges were completely blown out and sections of roads were quickly eroded away. Other mudslides were reported on county highways 9, 13 and 26.

Heavy thunderstorm rains caused widespread flash flooding in Rochester and surrounding areas across the county. Extensive damage was caused to sewer systems, water wells, roadways, parks, and flood control reservoirs.

Highway 14 was closed east of Rochester due to wash outs and flash flooding. A mudslide hit the Ronald McDonald house in Rochester with evacuations around 6 a.m. Red Cross shelters were set up. Flooding reports began around 915 p.m. Saturday August 18.

At least 50 mudslides were reported across the county with four state highways and eight county roads closed. At one point 20 roads were closed across the county. Some homes collapsed or were carried away by mudslides. Numerous railroad tracks and bridges washed out. There were numerous reports of injuries. Hardest hit communities included Houston, Hokah, La Crescent and Brownsville. A 25 foot earthen dam near Hokah, which was built in 1921, collapsed. This caused significant damage to a portion of the town, including the main park and an automobile dealership. First calls of flooding began around 9:30 p.m. Saturday August 18 to dispatch center, with flooding problems becoming exceedingly worse afterwards.

4,200 homes were reportedly damaged or destroyed.

A man was killed when he attempted to cross flood waters with two others in his vehicle. The car was washed away on County Road 6 near Pine Creek. His two female companions were rescued but the victim's legs were pinned under a part of the car and rescue workers could not save him. Several rescue workers also became caught in flood waters which swamped at least two rescue boats. This all occurred during the early morning hours of Sunday, August 19th in darkness.

Highway 26 from La Crescent to the Iowa border, Highway 16 from La Crescent to Hokah, and Highway 61 north of La Crescent were all closed by flood waters and damage.

A 55-year old man was killed near Storer Creek when his mobile home was swept away by flash flooding. The man had been asked to evacuate twice before flood waters swept him and his home away. The normally tranquil trout stream was about 80 yards wide and 7 to 8 feet above nearby bridges.

Flash flooding hit all the creeks and drainage areas hard that begin near the Interstate 90 area in Winona County. Garvin Brook and other creeks that flow into Stockton became terrain-changing flowages that washed out numerous roads, created massive mudslides, took out bridges, damaged railroad tracks, and washed away some homes.

Most homes in Stockton had severe water damage as flood waters roared through town.

Erosion problems were also noted south of Interstate 90 in the Hart area. Many roads, including Highway 43, were closed for several days.

Flash flooding and mudslides were common from the Elba area through Whitewater State Park and into the Lewiston area. Numerous mudslides occurred with many roads closed. Debris slid down hills and blocked drainage areas making flooding worse in many areas. A car was stuck in high water on County Highway 29 at some point.

Highway 74 in Whitewater State Park completely washed out. About 500 campers were evacuated that evening, but about a dozen campers were stranded at a primitive campsite overnight. They were rescued the following morning. The state park lost 3 bridges and there was extreme damage to campgrounds, rest rooms, a group dining hall, and the septic and water systems totaling at least one million dollars. The flood system installed at the park did activate that evening.

Many area creeks and trout streams were heavily damaged.

The Middle Fork of the Whitewater River at Whitewater State Park reached a record crest of 19.24 feet. Flood stage is 13.5 feet. The rapid rise of flood waters forced the evacuation of campers throughout the park.

Numerous streets were flooded. Sand bagging was needed with some street closures. Several nearby bridges were badly damaged and railroad tracks were bent out of place. Highway 14 was closed at Highway 42 due to flooding and residents of the Eyota trailer park were evacuated.

In Eyota specifically, 16 of 20 business had damage, 600 of 716 homes had at least water damage, and in most basements there was 18 inches to 5 feet of water.

Five fatalities were reported from people driving into flood waters. Two fatalities occurred near Witoka when a couple's vehicle fell into a chasm along County Road 17 that had opened when flood waters washed out the road. Near Stockton, two fatalities occurred when a couple's vehicle was swept away by flood waters from Garvin Brook. Near the Enterprise rest area on Interstate 90, a man was killed when his vehicle was washed away by flood waters along Rush Creek.

Heavy rain that was centered north of the county caused Rush Creek to flash flood on historic levels. In addition to Rush Creek, every other creek that leads into Rushford had tremendous accumulation that led to flood waters raging into town. The water backed up against the levees normally used to keep flood waters out from the nearby Root River and ended up flooding most of the town, including the entire downtown area.

In Rushford specifically, two thirds of the town was under water at some point. About 300 people had to be rescued. 490 of the 766 homes were flooded or had damage (79 were declared structurally unsound). 58 of the 70 businesses in town were damaged impacting nearly 500 of the 600 jobs in town. A total of 4 churches and 40 apartment buildings were also impacted.

Damage was widespread across the county, especially the northeast parts. Infrastructure was hit hard with numerous road closures and bridge damage. Numerous mud slides were reported. At least 704 homes applied for FEMA assistance.

All drainage areas leading into communities in eastern Winona County experienced tremendous flash flooding. State Highway 43 was washed out just south of Winona. In addition, more than 300 residents were evacuated from their homes in Goodview due to high water. In Minnesota City a railroad bridge was ripped apart by Garvin Brook and a highway bridge through town suffered major damage on each end. Railroad tracks were warped or pushed clear out of position. Major erosion was seen.

Flash flooding quickly hit area creeks, even into the Millville, Plainview, and Zumbro Falls area. Several roads were closed as flood waters peaked overnight including damage to some businesses and homes. A few mudslides hit County Roads 2 and 11, among other areas, including a huge boulder that washed on to a road at the start of the flooding. At least 44 families were impacted in Elgin with lower numbers in other communities.

Cascade Creek and the South Fork of the Zumbro River responded to excessive rainfall by rising quickly above flood stage. Cascade Creek reached a crest of 16.52 feet. Flood stage is 13.0 feet. The Zumbro River crested at 16.64 feet. Flood stage is 14.0 feet.

Flooding reported in Kasson.

The Root River at Houston reached a record crest of 18.75 feet on August 19. Flood stage is 15 feet. The town of Houston was completely cutoff by flood waters for awhile. Hundreds of acres of crops along the river were lost when they were inundated by flood waters.

County Highways 2 and 25 were closed near the Wabasha/Olmsted county line.

Law enforcement officials reported some roads washed out or still under water.

Law enforcement officials reported some roads washed out or still under water.

Law enforcement officials reported some roads washed out or still under water. Highways 60 and 63 remained closed.

Law enforcement officials reported some roads washed out or still under water.

Law enforcement officials reported roads and bridges washed out or still under water. Houston was under mandatory evacuation orders until flood waters receded. Area highways were closed including Highway 26 from Money Creek to Rushford and Highway 9 from Highway 21 to the Winona/Houston County line.

Law enforcement officials reported some roads washed out or still under water. The town of Rushford was inundated with flood waters from Rush Creek. In addition, the Root River at Rushford reached at an all-time record crest of 28.98 feet. As a result of flood waters, numerous homes, businesses and vehicles were damaged. In fact, two-thirds of the homes in Rushford were estimated to have been extensively damaged.

Law enforcement officials reported some roads and bridges washed out or still under water. Whitewater State Park remained closed. In Goodview, extensive damage occurred to homes and apartments due to flood waters. All or portions of highways still closed included Highway 76 from Interstate 90 to Highway 16.

The Zumbro River reached a crest of 21.76 feet, forcing the closure of Highways 60 and 63 for a time. Flood stage is 18.0 feet.