Walz addresses statewide flooding outlook, preparations
State and federal leaders joined the governor Wednesday morning to discuss the latest spring flooding outlook.
Got. Tim Walz was joined by Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, Twin Cities National Weather Service Meteorologist in Charge Dan Hawblitzel, Homeland Security and Management Interim Director Kevin Reed, and others.
They said the state is entering what is expected to be the peak of spring flooding. However, if there isn’t any major rainfall in the next week, drier weather appears to be headed our way, which would allow water levels to start falling.
“If we can get through next week it does look like we should be able to get through this,” Hawblitzel said.
People all over Minnesota have been preparing for flooding, as spring thaws the snow and temperatures warm up.
Mike Knoff, chief of the Engineering and Construction Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, also noted that the Corps has been monitoring flood conditions around the state since spring flooding concerns first arose. They’ve also provided technical help to communities and are ready to help by providing sandbags, pumps or constructing temporary levees if needed, Knoff said.
As of Wednesday, Knoff said the Corps hasn’t been asked to do any of those things in Minnesota.
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For a complete look at spring flooding, visit the 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS spring flooding page.
5 EYEWITNESS NEWS Reporter Brittney Ermon will have more on this story in Wednesday night’s newscasts.