Area Flood Information

As of September 28, 2010

 

The following is information prepared by the state’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management department. It gives background on the flood event and thresholds for federal assistance. Here are some highlights:

On September 22 – 24, a widespread heavy rain event caused flooding in the southern 1/3 of Minnesota affecting approximately 35 counties.  The rainfall was unprecedented for this area.  The rain fell on already saturated ground leaving nowhere for the excess water to go.  Over 10 inches fell in some southern Minnesota communities. It was a record or near record event throughout southern Minnesota.  This is the third disaster that southern Minnesota is experiencing in 2010.  Many of the impacted counties experienced damage in the same areas that were affected in the spring floods and summer tornadoes. On Thursday, September 23 Governor Pawlenty declared a peacetime emergency for the following counties: Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Dakota, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Jackson, Lac Qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Olmsted, Pipestone, Ramsey, Rice, Rock, Scott, Sibley, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, Watonwan, Winona and Yellow Medicine Counties.

Numerous communities have extensive damage to homes, businesses and public infrastructure. Prior to an official damage assessment, it is estimated that more than 650 homes were damaged.  The most severe damage is concentrated in the counties of Blue Earth, Goodhue, Martin, Olmsted, Rice, Steele and Wabasha. The cities of Zumbro Falls and Hammond are still completely evacuated until it is determined to be safe. Homeowners are only being allowed to re-enter to remove personal items. Hundreds of federal, state, county, city and township roads and highways were damaged including numerous sinkholes and washouts.  Numerous bridges were closed and will be inspected for damage.  Several bridges were damaged and the city of Oronoco experienced a washout on both ends of a major bridge to their city. Public infrastructure was greatly impacted.  In addition to roads and bridges, the majority of the infrastructure damage occurred to wastewater treatment plants, community centers, city buildings, state and local parks, schools and athletic fields.  Damage and interruptions to cities’ electrical and gas infrastructures were widespread. Propane tanks were ripped from their moorings and displaced. Two nursing homes were evacuated. Debris removal and management is a large challenge that communities are experiencing.

Ten public school districts and one alternative learning center canceled school on Friday and an additional 6 were delayed by several hours. At least 2 schools experienced minor damage.

The current situation varies by county.  In some areas the water is subsiding, roads are re-opening and the communities are beginning the cleanup process.  In other areas, the water is still rising and rivers aren’t expected to crest until mid-week. Because of the impending winter season, clean up and restoration will be slow and may be delayed until spring.

Joint federal/state damage assessment teams will begin assessing damage to homes and public infrastructure Monday, September 27. Following the collection of the data, it will be determined if the counties and the state meet the threshold of $6.4 million in uninsured losses to public infrastructure.  Governor Pawlenty will then request President Obama to declare a major disaster. There is no monetary threshold for FEMA’s Individual and Household Program, simply “indicators”.  Those indicators include a concentration of severely damaged or destroyed homes and direct, severe impact on the communities. Following a disaster declaration, FEMA will reimburse 75% of eligible losses. The other 25% must be from non-federal sources.

The following will be the largest challenges to be faced by impacted communities: