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Floodwaters move farther south in Minnesota

By Larry Oakes, Richard Meryhew and Chris Havens, Star Tribune (Minneapolis) –

DULUTH, Minn. — As state officials toured Duluth Thursday to see the damage left behind by historic flash flooding, the currents moved farther south, rising over roads, seeping into buildings and forcing more evacuations.

(PHOTO: Water continues to rage in the St.Louis River as it flows through Jay Cooke State Park, washing out major sections of Hwy. 210 and ripping out the swinging bridge in the park. Here, trailers and boats float together along the St. Louis River at Gary New Duluth, in Minnesota, June 21, 2012.)

The city of Moose Lake, about 40 miles south of Duluth, had declared a state of emergency as water encroached and made the town an island, officials said.

Residents in Willow River, about 17 miles south of Moose Lake, were being advised to leave.

Pine County Chief Deputy Steve Blackwell said deputies rescued a man whose panel truck was swept off the highway Thursday morning near the town of Sturgeon Lake, the Associated Press reported.

Torrential rains falling in amounts up to 10 inches in some areas of Duluth and the surrounding region overnight Tuesday fueled raging floodwaters that created all sorts of chaos, which officials are estimating will exceed $100 million.

Duluth authorities reiterated that residents should stay away from streams, culverts and standing water, which likely could be unsanitary.

The waterlogged region has an opportunity to dry out some over the next couple of days, according to National Weather Service forecasts.

Thursday morning, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton joined Duluth Mayor Don Ness in a tour of the city to survey sinkholes, buckled streets and other damage.

At a joint news briefing with Dayton and other public officials from northeastern Minnesota, Ness estimated that there’s from $50 million to $80 million in damage to Duluth’s public infrastructure, not counting damage to private property.

“Regionwide, I’m sure we’re looking at over $100 million in damage,” he said.

Dayton and other officials are using the Duluth visit to determine what kind of state resources might be needed for the region’s recovery.

“It’s terrible devastation, showing the awesome, destructive power of nature,” Dayton said while looking at rubble that used to be Vermillion Road. “We’ll be part of this rebuilding for as long as it takes.”

 

 

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