DisastersMinnesota braces for spring floods
As dense snow packs in Minnesota begin to melt, officials are preparing for what may be their worst spring flooding yet; with record snow falls and heavy rains expected, weather officials are forecasting that floods are on their way; last September’s heavy rains saturated the soil with water which will exacerbate spring floods this year; officials are preparing the state for floods and St. Paul city officials have sent letters to all residents warning that they should find alternative places to stay and keep their vehicles in safe areas if they are forced to evacuate as water levels rise
St. Paul has been flooded before, and will be again // Source: publicradio.org
As dense snow packs in Minnesota begin to melt, officials are preparing for what may be their worst spring flooding yet.
With record snow falls and heavy rains expected, weather officials are forecasting that floods are on their way.
Todd Kraus, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said, “There will be flooding, there is no doubt about that. The question is the extent that it occurs.” Kraus warned that last September’s heavy rains saturated the soil with water making it less able to absorb moisture which will exacerbate spring floods this year.
“As to the flood outlook, look out,” he said.
Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton delivered a speech on Tuesday to residents warning that they should begin “preparing for the worst” and that state officials have already made preparations.
“I think it’s important for people to understand that we are looking ahead, we’re not just waiting for something. We’re preparing as much as we possibly can,” Governor Dayton said.
According to Adjutant General Rick Nash more than 12,000 National Guardsmen are trained and ready to respond.
St. Paul, Minnesota received more than eighty inches of snow this winter and as it melts meteorologists say there is a 95 percent chance that a major flood will occur where the Mississippi River exceeds seventeen feet.
City officials have sent letters to all residents warning that they should find alternative places to stay and keep their vehicles in safe areas if they are forced to evacuate as water levels rise.
Richard Carlbom, a spokesman for St. Paul mayor Chris Coleman, said, “While we expect these residences to remain dry, people may have to temporarily relocate … if the floods cut off essential services.”
Ricardo Cervantes, director of St. Paul’s Department of Safety and Inspections, assured residents by saying, “There is time for these folks to plan.”
