Freeborn County commissioners declare state of emergency
Published 12:48 pm Thursday, September 22, 2016
- Workers bring in sandbags to place along the Fountain Lake Dam on Fountain Lake Thursday morning after high rains in the area. — Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune
The Freeborn County Board of Commissioners declared a state of emergency Thursday after heavy rainfall overnight.
The disaster declaration made during an emergency meeting allows the county to ask the state of Minnesota for public infrastructure funds for storm cleanup.
“We’re saying we’ve become overwhelmed with what’s going on,” said Freeborn County Emergency Management Director Rich Hall, noting he expects flooding to get worse locally as floodwaters flow south.
Freeborn County roads 27,118,101 and 61 were closed due to flooding Thursday afternoon.
Hall said he expects water levels to fall Friday.
The Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office is distributing free flood cleanup kits at the Salvation Army, 302 Court St.
“We’re trying to arrange distribution locations in Alden and Hollandale, and as soon as we have something set up, I’ll let you know,” Sheriff Kurt Freitag said today in a Facebook post.
Rain totals collected at the Albert Lea wastewater treatment plant totaled 4.6 inches from 8 a.m. Wednesday through 8 a.m. today, though reports of as much as 7 inches have been received from Freeborn County officials.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning, which remains in effect until 4:45 a.m. Friday for Albert Lea and the surrounding areas.
Albert Lea, Wells, Blooming Prairie, New Richland, Clarks Grove, Ellendale, Minnesota Alden, Glenville, Geneva and Emmons are expected to continue to experience flooding.
- Workers bring in sandbags to place along the Fountain Lake Dam on Fountain Lake Thursday morning after high rains in the area. — Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune
- Sandbags are lined near the Fountain Lake Dam Thursday morning. — Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune
- The mermaid in Fountain Lake at New Denmark Park is mostly underwater. — Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune
- Katherine Island is under water Thursday morning after heavy rains in Albert Lea. — Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune
- Employees with the Albert Lea school district clean up a downed tree in front of Lakeview Elementary School on Thursday. — Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune
- An Albert Lea Area Schools employee cuts down tree limbs from a downed tree at Lakeview Elementary School Thursday morning. — Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune
- Water flows over Lakeview Boulevard near Edgewater Bay on Thursday morning. — Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune
Related Stories
Storm dumps rain on Albert Lea, brings flooded streets, click here.