Flooding Closes Part of I-90 As Flood Watch Begins in Minnesota

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A Flood Watch is now in effect for multiple Minnesota Counties.

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The watch coincides with the arrival of the first of multiple waves of what is predicted to be heavy rainfall in southern Minnesota.

The watch area stretches from far western Minnesota to the Mississippi River and includes communities as far north as the Twin Cities and as far south as northern Iowa.

NWS Twin Cities (Counties in Flood Watch Highlighted in green)

Part of I-90 in Southern Minnesota Closed Due to Flooding Caused by Heavy Rain

The heavy rain has already started to impact travel in southern Minnesota. MnDOT has closed a nearly 15-mile stretch of Interstate 90 between Adrian and Luverne due to flooding.

A traffic camera photo shows floodwaters submerging the entire interstate and stranding a semi truck.

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Half Foot of Rain Possible in Rochester & Southeast Minnesota Over Next 72 Hours

The National Weather Service is predicting widespread heavy rain could pour 2-6 inches of water across southeastern Minnesota over the next 72 hours. 4-6 inches of rain are predicted for Rochester and Winona over that time span.

The Flood Watch states that rainfall over the past several weeks has saturated soils and elevated water levels in area streams and rivers.

Officials say the predicted excess rainfall could cause Flash flooding as well as river and stream flooding. Urban flooding is also possible.

Rising waters are already being reported in the south-central Minnesota city of Waterville, where volunteers are being asked to help fill sandbags to keep the rising Cannon River at bay.

The National Weather Service is reminding motorists to not drive around barricades and to avoid driving through flooded roads.