Friends and neighbors,
Devastating flooding continues to heavily impact our district and much of southern Minnesota. I recently appeared on WCCO radio with Senator Nick Frentz, who represents North Mankato, to discuss the situation. If you are interested, you can listen to our interview on WCCO’s website.
I know a lot of you are closely following the flood developments. The two areas receiving the most attention are the Rapidan Dam and the city of Waterville. While the dam has not failed, water is flowing around it at dangerous levels, eroding the banks nearby. Officials are optimistic the dam will survive the flooding but they are still closely monitoring the structural integrity of this 100-year-old dam. Waterville has been hit especially hard — floods there could rival historic floods of 1997 and 2007
But make no mistake: Almost every community in our district has been affected by these storms in some way. The flooding has closed roads, parks and campgrounds throughout the region. Farmland is saturated, potentially impacting this year’s crops. People are waking up to flooded basements. Emergency responders and volunteers have been working tirelessly, filling sandbags and assisting their neighbors. The challenges are being felt all over.
This scenario is why I have been such a broken record about the need to use bonding dollars to fund critical infrastructure instead of unproven and unaccountable nonprofits. For example, the 2023 bonding bills spent $2.6 billion. About $55 million of that was for flood hazard mitigation and $4 million was for dam repair, while the bills funded more than 80 nonprofits. Critical infrastructure must come first, especially water and flood mitigation projects in smaller communities with limited resources.
While it’s too early to determine the full extent of the flood damage, I am certain my colleagues on both sides of the aisle understand the urgency and will join those of us who represent these areas in ensuring affected communities receive the support and funding needed to recover and rebuild.
In the meantime, I wanted to share some resources that may be useful:
- Blue Earth County: What to do with flood damaged debris: https://blueearthcountymn.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=915
- Blue Earth County: Stay up to date on road closures: https://blueearthcountymn.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=914
- Le Sueur County Flood resources: https://www.lesueurcounty.gov/771/Flooding-Relief-2024
- Dept. of Health flooding threatens private drinking water wells – released 6/21/24 https://www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/2024/wells062124.html
- MNDOT 511 map shows state highway closures https://511mn.org/@-96.49243,46.92432,6?show=metroTrafficMap,roadReports,weatherWarningsAreaEvents,stationsAlert,otherStateInfo
- DPS general flooding preparedness/safety information https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/hsem/weather-awareness-preparedness/Pages/severe-weather-flooding.aspx
- DNR Flood resources: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/climate/floods/index.html
Please use caution, heed all warnings, and avoid flooded areas for your safety. As always, I am here to assist you however I can. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you need help or information.