Torrential rain causes flooding, mudslides in southern Minnesota

Key Points:

• Torrential rains caused severe flooding and mudslides across south-central and southeast Minnesota, with some areas receiving over 8 inches of rain overnight, leading to creeks and rivers overflowing their banks.
• Spring Valley experienced widespread street closures due to flooding, though some roads reopened by mid-morning as waters receded; New Richland also reported flooding and provided sandbags and lodging assistance for displaced residents.
• State highways near New Richland, Spring Valley, and Lanesboro were affected by flooding and mudslides, including a temporary closure of State Highway 16 due to a landslide; multiple local roads were closed as well.
• The Cedar River in Austin rose to moderate flood stage, prompting street closures and warnings to respect barricades, while the Root River was forecast to reach minor flood stage at Lanesboro and Houston.
• No injuries have been reported, but flooding has caused significant disruptions including the closure of a riverside golf course at the Old Barn Resort; affected communities had also experienced flash flooding earlier in July.