Breached Minnesota dam at risk of failure still standing amid "historic" flooding
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Floodwaters rushed around the Rapidan Dam on the Blue Earth River, washing away an electrical substation. Photo: Ben Brewer/Bloomberg via Getty Images
"Historic" flooding across the state will likely require a federal disaster declaration, Gov. Tim Walz said Monday.
Threat level: Recent heavy rain, including a foot-and-a-half in southern Minnesota, has already closed roads, caused serious damage, and left some communities under feet of water.
- Much of southern Minnesota remains at risk of "considerable" flooding impacts over the next week.
The latest: A breached dam outside Mankato that officials had warned was in "imminent failure condition" on Monday remained standing as of Tuesday morning.
- Officials now expect it to hold, the Star Tribune reports.
- Those alarms came as the state deployed 46 National Guard soldiers to Waterville in Le Sueur County in response to what local officials say is the worst flooding in its history.
Zoom out: Walz told reporters on Monday that a legislative special session may be needed to refill the state's disaster relief contingency account in the wake of the flooding.
- Seven of the 40 counties impacted by the flooding had already applied for some state aid as of Monday, KARE 11 reports.
By the numbers: The governor said while the $26.4 million currently in the account is "probably not" enough to cover the damages, the federal aid that would flow from a disaster declaration could help fill the gap.
- Another $50 million is already set to be transferred to the account in August, per KARE 11.
The intrigue: Some lawmakers are already calling to pair disaster relief with a broader capital investment package for "critical" infrastructure fixes.
- Walz said while it's premature to speculate on a special session agenda, he is still interested in a bonding bill.
Between the lines: All four Republicans in Minnesota's congressional delegation sent the governor a letter on Monday urging him to formally request a federal Major Disaster Declaration.
- A spokesperson for Walz told Axios that the damage assessments needed for that step are ongoing amid the developing situation.
- "We'll do everything we can to expedite the process," she said.
The bottom line: Unlike recent flash floods in Northern Minnesota, the latest threats are "more of a typical spring melt type of flood where you see the rivers start to rise," Walz said.
- That gives emergency officials more opportunity to plan and sandbag vulnerable areas, he added.
What we're watching
1. Rising flood waters surged through an electrical substation next to the Rapidan Dam on the Blue Earth River, and officials warned on Monday that the 124-year-old structure was in danger of total failure.
- Blue Earth County officials wrote on Monday morning that they weren't yet certain whether the dam, located about 10 miles outside Mankato, would "totally fail or if it will remain in place."
- "Anyone that is in immediate danger has been notified," county officials added.
- By Tuesday, the water rushing around the side had relieved some pressure, officials said, though the situation remained to dangerous to clear the debris blocking the dam.
2. Mississippi River levels are still rising and could reach major flood stage at St. Paul by Friday.
- Yes, but: The good news, state officials said Monday, is that the Mississippi is big enough to handle the incoming water.
3. The Minnesota River could reach major flood stage at Jordan and Shakopee by Wednesday afternoon, per NOAA. Just downstream in Savage, it's expected to crest just short of that threshold.
- In Madelia, officials opted to begin pumping sewage down city streets into the Watonwan River in an effort to avoid backing up the town's toilets.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to include the latest news about the Rapidan Dam, including that officials now expect it to hold.