A stationary front set up across southern Minnesota on the evening of September 22nd. As an unusually moist air mass flowed over this boundary, heavy rain developed and fell repeatedly across the area during the evening and overnight hours. Soils were abnormally wet for this time of year, therefore the extreme rainfall amounts that fell caused widespread significant river flooding and flash flooding. Infrastructure was greatly affected with millions of dollars of damage, while private properties were also heavily damaged. Dodge, Olmsted, Wabasha, Winona, and Mower counties were included in federal disaster declarations (FEMA-1941-DR).

Heavy Rain in DODGE, MINNESOTA
From 22-SEP-10 14:00:00 to 23-SEP-10 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: DODGE CENTER
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Rainfall totaled 8.08 inches, which set a record for the highest daily precipitation amount for the month of September.

Heavy Rain in DODGE, MINNESOTA
From 22-SEP-10 14:00:00 to 23-SEP-10 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: WEST CONCORD
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Rainfall totaled 8.25 inches.

Heavy Rain in DODGE, MINNESOTA
From 22-SEP-10 14:00:00 to 23-SEP-10 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: CLAREMONT
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Rainfall totaled 9.50 inches.

Heavy Rain in FILLMORE, MINNESOTA
From 22-SEP-10 16:30:00 to 23-SEP-10 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHATFIELD
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The storm total rainfall was 4.75 inches.

Heavy Rain in FILLMORE, MINNESOTA
From 22-SEP-10 16:30:00 to 23-SEP-10 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: PRESTON
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The storm total rainfall was 4.56 inches.

Heavy Rain in FILLMORE, MINNESOTA
From 22-SEP-10 16:30:00 to 23-SEP-10 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LANESBORO
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The storm total rainfall was 4.51 inches.

Heavy Rain in DODGE, MINNESOTA
From 22-SEP-10 14:30:00 to 23-SEP-10 15:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: MANTORVILLE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Rainfall totaled 8.50 inches, but the first 1.53 inches fell in one hour, between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. CST on the 22nd.

Heavy Rain in FILLMORE, MINNESOTA
From 22-SEP-10 16:30:00 to 23-SEP-10 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: HARMONY
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The storm total rainfall was 4.83 inches, while 1.92 inches of that total fell between 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. CST on the 22nd. Elsewhere across the county, storm total amounts included 4.48 inches near Spring Valley, 4.13 inches at Carimona, and 3.89 inches at Highland.

Heavy Rain in HOUSTON, MINNESOTA
From 22-SEP-10 17:00:00 to 23-SEP-10 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLACK HAMMER
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The total rainfall amounted to 4.04 inches. Elsewhere in the county, the total rainfall was 3.76 inches at Spring Grove and 3.03 inches near Reno.

Heavy Rain in OLMSTED, MINNESOTA
From 22-SEP-10 15:30:00 to 23-SEP-10 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: BYRON
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The storm total rainfall was 6.19 inches.

Heavy Rain in MOWER, MINNESOTA
From 22-SEP-10 14:00:00 to 23-SEP-10 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: AUSTIN
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Total rainfall through the storm was 5.12 inches.

Heavy Rain in MOWER, MINNESOTA
From 22-SEP-10 14:00:00 to 23-SEP-10 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ELKTON
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Total rainfall through the storm was 6.05 inches.

Heavy Rain in OLMSTED, MINNESOTA
From 22-SEP-10 14:30:00 to 23-SEP-10 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROCHESTER
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Storm total rainfall was 5.60 inches on the southeast side of Rochester.

Heavy Rain in OLMSTED, MINNESOTA
From 22-SEP-10 14:30:00 to 23-SEP-10 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: (RST)ROCHESTER MUNI
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Storm total rainfall was 6.22 inches just northeast of the Rochester International Airport.

Heavy Rain in MOWER, MINNESOTA
From 22-SEP-10 14:00:00 to 23-SEP-10 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRAND MEADOW
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Total rainfall through the storm was 5.00 inches, falling over a two day period.

Heavy Rain in WABASHA, MINNESOTA
From 22-SEP-10 15:30:00 to 23-SEP-10 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: READS LNDG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Heavy rain fell, as 6.80 inches was measured. Of that amount, 4.90 inches had fallen as of 2:15 a.m. CST on the 23rd.

Heavy Rain in WINONA, MINNESOTA
From 22-SEP-10 16:30:00 to 23-SEP-10 22:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: WHITMAN
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The storm total rainfall amounted to 6.78 inches. High rainfall amounts were also measured in other parts of the county, which included 3.92 inches at Lock and Dam 7 near Dresbach.

Flash Flood in OLMSTED, MINNESOTA
From 24-SEP-10 11:00:00 to 25-SEP-10 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: ORONOCO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 7.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

The approach on the north side of the County Road 18 bridge going through Oronoco washed out as the Middle Fork of the Zumbro River flooded. The Lake Shady Dam was also damaged.

Heavy Rain in WABASHA, MINNESOTA
From 22-SEP-10 14:30:00 to 23-SEP-10 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: THEILMAN
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Storm total rainfall was 8.57 inches, including 6.25 inches on September 23rd and a brand new daily September record.

Heavy Rain in WABASHA, MINNESOTA
From 22-SEP-10 14:30:00 to 23-SEP-10 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: WABASHA
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Storm total rainfall was 7.29 inches, including 5.16 inches on September 23rd and a brand new daily September record.

Heavy Rain in WABASHA, MINNESOTA
From 22-SEP-10 14:30:00 to 23-SEP-10 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAKE CITY
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Storm total rainfall was 6.45 inches, including 4.56 inches on September 23rd and a brand new daily September record.

Heavy Rain in WABASHA, MINNESOTA
From 22-SEP-10 14:30:00 to 23-SEP-10 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: KELLOGG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Storm total rainfall was 7.33 inches.

Flood in OLMSTED, MINNESOTA
From 23-SEP-10 05:30:00 to 25-SEP-10 19:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: CUMMINGSVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 3.55M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Flooding occurred on most of the rivers, streams, and creeks throughout the county. Water caused at least 20 road closures throughout the county, which included U.S. Highway 52 north of Oronoco as well as County Roads 105, 14, 31, 18, 5 and 133.  Seven of the roads were damaged, 3 of which saw extensive damage. Two vehicles tried driving across a water covered road in Oronoco and were swept away. The people in the vehicles were rescued safely. Across the county, 81 homes incurred major damage, while 10 homes had minor damage. Of those 91 homes with damage, 50 occurred in the city of Oronoco.  In the city of Eyota, the sewer system was full and many homes had water in their basements. A small subdivision in Rochester was evacuated due to rising water, while the majority of the Meadow Lakes Golf Course in southeast Rochester was underwater.  The rain began the afternoon of the 22nd, with the majority falling by 6 a.m. CST on the 23rd. Rainfall amounts across the county as of 6 a.m. CST on the 23rd included 4.68 inches in Rochester, 4.54 inches near the Rochester Airport, 3.66 inches at the Maple Valley Golf Course, 3.47 inches at Dover, and 3.24 inches near Elgin.

Flood in MOWER, MINNESOTA
From 23-SEP-10 10:00:00 to 25-SEP-10 19:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: RACINE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 850.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A few county roads were closed, including County Road 28 due to flooding. Also, city roads were closed in Austin, Grand Meadow, Adams and Le Roy, while evacuations of some apartments took place near Oakland Place in Austin. The rain began around 2 p.m. CST on the 22nd and continued through 10 p.m. CST on the 23rd. However, the majority of the rain fell by 7 a.m. CST on the 23rd.

Heavy Rain in WINONA, MINNESOTA
From 22-SEP-10 14:30:00 to 23-SEP-10 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: MINNESOTA CITY
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Storm total rainfall was 6.37 inches.

Heavy Rain in WINONA, MINNESOTA
From 22-SEP-10 14:30:00 to 23-SEP-10 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALTURA
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Storm total rainfall was 5.79 inches.

Heavy Rain in WINONA, MINNESOTA
From 22-SEP-10 14:30:00 to 23-SEP-10 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: WINONA MUNI ARPT
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Storm total rainfall was 5.19 inches.  In the city of Winona a total of 5.15 inches was reported.

Flood in DODGE, MINNESOTA
From 23-SEP-10 00:22:00 to 24-SEP-10 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: RICE LAKE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 2.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Rivers, creeks, and streams as well as low-lying areas throughout the county were flooded due to very heavy rainfall. At least 20 roads were closed across the county, while a few bridges were damaged and needed reconstruction. Specific road closures included State Highway 56, State Highway 24 as the Middle Fork of the Zumbro River flooded, and County Road 7. One home was destroyed, 4 others had major damage, and 57 others reported minor damage.

Flash Flood in DODGE, MINNESOTA
From 23-SEP-10 04:00:00 to 23-SEP-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: RICE LAKE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Many roads and culverts across the county were washed out.

Flood in WINONA, MINNESOTA
From 23-SEP-10 10:32:00 to 24-SEP-10 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: TROY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 1.36M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Flooding occurred along rivers, creeks, and streams as well as in low-lying areas, with the worst impacts seen in the northern parts of the county. Numerous roads were closed and some were damaged by flood waters. A portion of County Road 74 southwest of Elba was closed due to high water. The Whitewater River saw major flooding, which did some damage to portions of the Whitewater State Park, which was evacuated. Five homes incurred minor damage. At mid-morning on the 23rd, the majority of the rain had fallen with 5.52 inches measured at a location 5 miles north of St. Charles and 4.20 inches in Winona.

Flood in WABASHA, MINNESOTA
From 23-SEP-10 22:00:00 to 26-SEP-10 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAMMOND
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 4.59M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Major flooding occurred in the town of Hammond due to record flooding on the Zumbro River.  Of the 75 homes in the town, 19 were damaged and 20 were destroyed. Power, water and septic services were down in the town for several days. Businesses in the town also saw extensive damage.

Flood in MOWER, MINNESOTA
From 23-SEP-10 14:45:00 to 25-SEP-10 03:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: LANSING
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Locally heavy rains pushed the Cedar River near Lansing out of its banks from September 23rd to the 25th. The river exceeded the flood stage by three feet, cresting at 21.0 feet.

Flood in WABASHA, MINNESOTA
From 23-SEP-10 00:57:00 to 25-SEP-10 19:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: PLAINVIEW
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 4.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Flooding occurred along rivers, streams and creeks as well as low-lying areas throughout the county. At least 14 roads were closed across the county due to water over the roads, including U.S. Highway 63, State Highways 68 and 60, and County Roads 3, 8, 21, and 11. At least 10 schools throughout the county canceled classes due to road closures.  It was estimated that 300 homes were affected by flood waters throughout the county, 99 of which were in the towns of Zumbro Falls and Hammond.  The areas that saw the worst flooding included locations along the Zumbro River, including the cities of Zumbro Falls, Hammond, Millville, and Jarrett.  Due to the rising river, the towns of Zumbro Falls, Hammond, and Millville were evacuated, as well as 20 to 30 residents who lived along County Road 11 between Hammond and Millville. In Kellogg, massive erosion occurred along the Zumbro River, which endangered some homes.

Flash Flood in WABASHA, MINNESOTA
From 23-SEP-10 18:59:00 to 24-SEP-10 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: KELLOGG
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 125.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Mudslides occurred along the Zumbro River along County Road 81, between State Highway 60 and U.S. Highway 61.

Flood in FILLMORE, MINNESOTA
From 23-SEP-10 08:00:00 to 24-SEP-10 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: OSTRANDER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 45.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Heavy rain fell across the area which caused flooding of rivers, streams and creeks, as well as in low-lying areas. The flood waters caused closures of roads, while some of these roads incurred some minor damage. The majority of the rain fell from 3 p.m. on the 22nd through 9 a.m. on the 23rd as 4.60 inches was measured at Spring Valley in that time frame.

Flood in WABASHA, MINNESOTA
From 23-SEP-10 10:00:00 to 27-SEP-10 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ZUMBRO FALLS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 3.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Locally heavy rains pushed the Zumbro River in Zumbro Falls out of its banks starting on  September 23rd. The river gage failed during the flooding and the river is estimated to have returned to within it banks on the 27th. The crest was determined by an USGS survey to have been 35.8 feet, which exceeded the flood stage by almost 18 feet. This crest also established a new flood of record.  Numerous homes were heavily damaged or destroyed.

Flood in OLMSTED, MINNESOTA
From 23-SEP-10 18:45:00 to 23-SEP-10 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROCHESTER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Locally heavy rains pushed Cascade Creek in Rochester out of its banks on September 23th. The creek exceeded the flood stage by less than a half foot, cresting at 13.16 feet.

Flood in OLMSTED, MINNESOTA
From 23-SEP-10 17:00:00 to 24-SEP-10 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROCHESTER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Locally heavy rains pushed the South Fork of the Zumbro River in Rochester out of its banks on September 23rd and 24th. The river exceeded the flood stage by over three feet, cresting at 17.16 feet.

Flood in OLMSTED, MINNESOTA
From 23-SEP-10 02:15:00 to 23-SEP-10 20:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: LITTLE VLY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Locally heavy rains pushed the Middle Fork of the Whitewater River near the Whitewater State Park out of its banks on September 23rd. The river exceeded the flood stage by two feet, cresting at 15.51 feet.

Flood in MOWER, MINNESOTA
From 23-SEP-10 13:15:00 to 26-SEP-10 18:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: MAPLEVIEW
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Locally heavy rains pushed Turtle Creek near Austin out of its banks from September 23rd to the 26th. The creek exceeded the flood stage by over two feet, cresting at 12.71 feet.

Flood in MOWER, MINNESOTA
From 23-SEP-10 16:45:00 to 24-SEP-10 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: AUSTIN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Locally heavy rains pushed Dobbins Creek near Austin out of its banks on September 23rd and 24th. The creek exceeded the flood stage by just over a foot, cresting at 12.57 feet.

Flood in MOWER, MINNESOTA
From 23-SEP-10 22:00:00 to 25-SEP-10 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: AUSTIN ACRES
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Locally heavy rains pushed the Cedar River in Austin out of its banks from September 23rd to the 25th. The river exceeded the flood stage by five and a half feet, cresting at 20.6 feet.

Flood in HOUSTON, MINNESOTA
From 25-SEP-10 11:00:00 to 25-SEP-10 16:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOUSTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Locally heavy rains pushed the Root River at Houston out of its banks on September 23rd. The river gage failed during the flooding and the river is estimated to have returned to within its banks later the same day. The estimated crest was 15.4 feet, which is less than a half foot over the flood stage.

Heavy Rain in DODGE, MINNESOTA
From 22-SEP-10 14:00:00 to 23-SEP-10 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAYFIELD
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Rainfall totaled 7.28 inches.

Flood in WABASHA, MINNESOTA
From 24-SEP-10 00:00:00 to 26-SEP-10 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ZUMBRO FALLS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.20M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Major flooding occurred in the town of Zumbro Falls as the Zumbro River rose to record levels. Of the 95 homes in the town, 60 were affected by flood waters.  Businesses in the downtown area also saw damages, while propane tanks were seen floating around. The entire town was evacuated, while power, water and septic systems were down for days. The rainfall as of 5:30 a.m. CST on the 23rd amounted to 6.37 inches.