Flooding Update 4-14-23

More updates from the flooding in Norman County:

• A note from local law enforcement: Please do NOT drive around the “Road Closed” signs in the country. The signs are there for a reason. There is a $1,000 fine for driving around the “Road Closed” signs.

• There is no entry into the Heart of the Valley Golf Course in Ada. The road is closed.

Water levels continue to rise across the region as melting snow runs off into rivers, creeks and drainage ditches.  R&J Broadcasting’s Joe Lancello caught up with Norman County Emergency Manager Garry Johanson this afternoon for an update.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation has closed Highway 9 in both directions south of Ada at the Wild Rice River between 170th Avenue and 190th Avenue.  Also, northbound Highway 59 south of Bejou has flooding between County Roads T184 and T41.  That part of 59 is NOT closed, but drivers are asked to use extreme caution if going in that area.

Here’s the latest on river flood stages from the National Weather Service..as of 1 this afternoon.

The Wild Rice River at Twin Valley is now at 12 and a half feet…that’s well above flood stage.  It’s also the expected peak of flooding and the Wild Rice River is expected to start receding Saturday afternoon.

Over in Hendrum, the Wild Rice River is at 11.43 feet.  Flood stage is 20 feet.  The river is expected to reach flood stage early Sunday morning, but won’t peak until next Friday the 21st at 28.8 feet.

The water level for the Red River at Halstad is 11.59 feet. Flood stage is 26 feet.  No projections yet for the Red River at Halstad.

Meanwhile the Marsh River at Shelly is at just over four feet with flood stage at 14 feet.  The Marsh is expected to reach flood stage Monday night and peak at 15 feet Wednesday afternoon.

As for the Buffalo River, it’s above flood stage near Dilworth and Hawley.  Near Dilworth, the water is at 14.9 feet….with a peak of 24.5 feet expected Monday afternoon.  Flood stage is 13 feet.  And near Hawley, the Buffalo River is at 8.9 feet…almost a foot above flood stage.  It’s expected to peak near Hawley Saturday night at 10.2 feet and slowly recede the rest of the week.

This video of the Wild Rice River near Twin Valley today – courtesy of Dan Andree