Sarah Shelander
Editor

Watonwan County experienced a historic flooding event over the weekend. The rain started earlier last week and continued later in the week, with a total rain accumulation from just noon on Thursday to Friday of 4 inches of rain in St. James alone.

“Reports have varied depending on where you are at in the county – and that is what makes this so unique,” said Emergency Management Director Ryan Visher. “You could be in Darfur and have gotten a trace of rain but in St James, you were in a downpour and received 4. Since June 1st, St James has gotten over 11.5” of rain – that is a tremendous amount. The NOAA does not do predictions for the waterways in Watonwan County – but based on historical observations and landmarks, I think it is fair to say this is a record-breaking year.”

Watonwan County always tries to be ready; this was shown by the Watonwan County Board of Commissioners recognizing the early signs of a flooding event growing. On June 18, the commissioners declared a disaster declaration before the major flooding events. The early action of the county board of commissioners allowed county departments to focus on mitigation said Visher.

Rain for days straight with little breaks between left the soil over-saturated leaving areas flooded and raising water levels in rivers and streams in the county creating the ideal conditions for flash flooding. Flooding happened all over the county starting Friday through the weekend. By Saturday afternoon roads in Madelia Township, Adrian Township, Riverdale Township, Madelia Township, Odin, and St. James were closed due to flood water covering them. According to an update on Tuesday afternoon from the Watonwan County Emergency Management fifteen roads spread between and around the towns of Madelia, St. James, Odin, and Darfur remain closed due to roads still being underwater or are in of repairs.

St. James experienced flooding of St. James Creek and rising water levels of St. James Lake. On Friday, June 21 had four roads closed as St. James Creek crested over the creek banks. The city of St. James Streets/Park Department started Friday morning by closing 15th Street and County Roads 27 and 12 followed by 14th Street by noon.

“I have never seen this creek come up so fast. In years past it would come up in inches but this rainfall made this come up in feet per hour,” said St. James Street/Park Department Superintendent Chad Stradtman. “With the amount of rainfall and the time it came down our systems cannot handle the volume of water. Most places recede quickly after the rain stops; in Friday’s case the system was overloaded most of the day.”

As of Sunday morning, 12 and 27 were open and on Tuesday, the water was down by noon on 14th St. Stradtman told the Plaindealer Tuesday he hoped to have 14th St open again on Wednesday.

With water levels decreasing on the roads the Street Department has been working on cleaning sand off the roads, off of 14th St and 5th Ave down by UPS Stradtman said they have scraped up 4-5 dump truck loads of sand. Cleaning sand off the roads is one part of clean up and repairs needed in St. James after the flooding, the Street Department also has a few storm sewer repairs needing to be done once they get caught up with other post-flooding clean-up.

St. James Lake water level is now the city’s biggest issue, as the drain is running wide open, and the level is still rising. “As of all lakes in the area, they are all very high. I am hoping it will crest this week and start receding,” said Stradtman.

For Madelia which has experienced the worst flooding in the county, the Watonwan River has a history of flooding and the highest area previous floods have reached are marked by stone pillars at Watona Park entrance in Madelia. Based on those, as they are underwater, and Visher talking with the older generation they are in agreement of this being a record year for the Watonwan River flooding in Madelia.

Madelia residents who live on 6th St SE and Drew Ave SE, which is along the Watonwan River have been experiencing flooding like Watona Park has been experiencing. Residents, Emergency Management, and city leaders had a meeting Sunday at 2:30 a.m. after a voluntary evacuation order was issued for 6th St and Drew Ave to discuss access to their homes and to prepare for the worst. Visher said three homes in the area were left to ravages of the storm in Madelia. To combat the flooding where they could the residents with the help of volunteers were able to fill sandbags and make a barrier to fight back against the flooding over the weekend. Madelia City Administrator Christine Fischer said the community is amazing with how they pulled together and worked together to help with sandbagging.

For residents who were displaced by the flooding, Watonwan County Emergency Management and the Red Cross had a shelter at the Madelia High School. The shelter offered meals, sleeping arrangements, and snacks. Human Services and Public Health were on hand too to offer assistance.

Even with the early action taken with the disaster declaration by the commissioners, Watonwan County is still in the early stages of the planning process for the next step as the water levels lower. Watonwan County is waiting for Governor Tim Walz to give directions and to classify the type of declaration he declares. “We are hopeful he will ask for a National Declaration to bring relief to our county, and the many others that have suffered. We will need the help of residents with the clean up,” said Visher.

Congressman Brad Finstad visited Watonwan County on Monday to witness the flood damage and hear from the communities of Madelia and Butterfield about what is needed. Finstad assured the communities he and his colleagues will work to make sure relief makes it way to Watonwan County.

Residents of Watonwan County can help with the process of getting assistance by documenting the flood damage their homes received and sending pictures of the damage to the Emergency Operations Center at EOC@co.watonwan.mn.us. As assistance is based on thresholds the county needs the information to show the need for assistance Watonwan County needs.

“Watonwan County is full of independent folks who like to “do it themselves” and that is admirable – but your neighbors and friends really need everyone to come together in this easy way to demonstrate this need,” said Visher. “Keep accurate records and contact your insurance company for any available coverage.”