Date: Sat, 24 Sep 2016 15:16:48 EDT
Summary: Rain from a stationary front Wednesday and Thursday has caused moderate to major flooding in southeast Minnesota.
Day 3 of flooding continues in southeast Minnesota tributaries to the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. Most tributaries have peaked or nearly so; while the Minnesota and Mississippi are rising. Rainfall totals from 2-8 inches fell Wednesday night with up to 12 inches in 48 hours. The heaviest rain fell between Mankato and Owatonna and in the northern suburbs of the Twin Cities, as a result of a stalled stationary front.
To date, one streamgages with more than 30 years of record had a peak of record. Ratings have been extended at three streamgages. Very provisional recurrence intervals at continuous recording streamgages are expected to range from 50 to 0.2 percent (2- to 500-year recurrence intervals).
All streamgages are working properly. One acoustic Doppler current profiler boat (ADCP) was lost Friday when the tether broke. It is currently snagged on a pipe so local fire and police are watching it until the river recedes.
Saturday, 3 staff made flood discharge measurements. Besides these activities, office staff have been extending ratings and communicating with Federal (NWS, COE) and local agencies emergency management and cooperators via NWSChat, email, and phone. There are no current field plans for Sunday.