DULUTH, Minn — Residents and city officials in Duluth hope the skies give them some time to dry out soon after a weekend of heavy rain left them underwater in some places.
More than four inches of precipitation fell on the Twin Ports Saturday into Sunday, leaving some roads submerged at best, and washed out at worst. There was so much rain that sewers filled up completely, lifting heavy manhole covers into the air.
Several main roads were declared impassable by city officials, triggering closures Sunday. Public works crews monitored road conditions throughout the weekend, cleaning up mud and debris and making repairs as they were able.
National Weather Service Duluth meteorologist Corey Rothstein told MPR News that the Knife River just off Highway 61 rose nine feet at one point, adding that one location in the city's Hillside neighborhood reported receiving 6.3 inches of rain as of Monday morning.
While much of the flooding has receded, motorists are reminded to avoid driving through standing water as it may hide hazards below the surface. Anyone encountering unsafe road conditions is asked to call 911 so repairs can be made.
And the forecast does not look cooperative: Rain and isolated storms are expected from Duluth to Silver Bay, and along Lake Superior's south shore in Wisconsin through Monday night.
This weekend's heavy rain follows flash flooding in Duluth just two weeks ago. The NWS says the area has received 10 inches in September to this point, seven more than the normal three-inch average.
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