A historic flooding event unfolded as heavy rainfall drenched the area on March 13-14, 2019. With frozen and impervious ground, full and rapid runoff was maximized. In addition to the rainfall, between 1 and 3 inches of snow water equivalent remained in the snow pack south of Interstate 90, with 3 to 6 inches of snow water equivalent north of Interstate 90. Fifteen river gage sites measured record stages around the area. Winds gusted to 50 to 70 mph at times, and colder air filtering into the system at the end of the storm produced a light accumulation of ice west of the James River and from 1 to 4 inches of snowfall in parts of southeast South Dakota.

Flood in PIPESTONE, MINNESOTA
From 19-MAR-19 01:00:00 to 25-MAR-19 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: AIRLIE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Snow melt and heavy rainfall (measured 1.70 inches at Pipestone) resulted in sporadic and minor flooding of agricultural lands. Pipestone Creek below Pipestone (gage site PSTM5) reached the highest stage on record cresting 0.42 feet above flood stage on March 24.

Flood in ROCK, MINNESOTA
From 14-MAR-19 01:00:00 to 31-MAR-19 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: JASPER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Snow melt and heavy rainfall (measured 2.11 inches near Garretson and 1.70 inches at  Pipestone) resulted in significant flooding of agricultural lands. 250th Street along the Minnesota/South Dakota border was flooded for numerous days. Split Rock Creek below Jasper (gage site JSPM5) reached the fourth highest stage on record cresting 4.53 feet above flood stage on March 18.

Flood in ROCK, MINNESOTA
From 15-MAR-19 17:00:00 to 26-MAR-19 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: HARDWICK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Snow melt and heavy rainfall (measured 1.77 inches near Edgerton) resulted in significant flooding of agricultural lands. The Rock River near Hardwick (gage site HRDM5) reached the fifth highest stage on record cresting 2.63 feet above flood stage on March 20.

Flood in PIPESTONE, MINNESOTA
From 15-MAR-19 17:00:00 to 26-MAR-19 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: TROSKY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Snow melt and heavy rainfall (measured 1.77 inches near Edgerton) resulted in significant flooding of agricultural lands. The Rock River near Hardwick (gage site HRDM5) reached the fifth highest stage on record cresting 2.63 feet above flood stage on March 20.

Flood in LYON, MINNESOTA
From 15-MAR-19 13:00:00 to 31-MAR-19 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LYND
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Snow melt and heavy rainfall (measured 1.56 inches at Marshall) resulted in significant flooding of agricultural lands and several county roads around Marshall. The Redwood River at Marshall (gage site MSHM5) reached the highest stage on record cresting 5.71 feet above flood stage on March 24.

Flood in PIPESTONE, MINNESOTA
From 14-MAR-19 01:00:00 to 31-MAR-19 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: IHLEN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Snow melt and heavy rainfall (measured 2.11 inches near Garretson and 1.70 inches at  Pipestone) resulted in significant flooding of agricultural lands. 250th Street along the Minnesota/South Dakota border was flooded for numerous days. Split Rock Creek below Jasper (gage site JSPM5) reached the fourth highest stage on record cresting 4.53 feet above flood stage on March 18.

Flood in ROCK, MINNESOTA
From 18-MAR-19 19:00:00 to 23-MAR-19 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LUVERNE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Snow melt and heavy rainfall (measured 1.77 inches near Edgerton and 1.54 inches at Luverne) resulted in flooding of agricultural lands. The Rock River at Luverne (gage site LUVM5) reached a crest 0.47 feet above flood stage on March 21.

Flood in PIPESTONE, MINNESOTA
From 15-MAR-19 23:00:00 to 29-MAR-19 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: CAZENOVIA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Snow melt and heavy rainfall (measured 1.70 inches at Pipestone) resulted in extensive flooding of agricultural lands. Initial flooding was sporadic and minor, but warming later in the month increased the runoff and impact of flooding. The North Branch of Pipestone Creek near Pipestone (gage site PSNM5) reached the highest stage on record cresting 1.24 feet above flood stage on March 28.

Flood in MURRAY, MINNESOTA
From 16-MAR-19 14:00:00 to 31-MAR-19 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: CURRIE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Snow melt and heavy rainfall (measured 1.50 inches at Tracy and 1.15 inches at Windom) resulted in significant flooding of agricultural lands. County Roads 6 and 44 were inundated with flood water for several days. The Des Moines River near Avoca (gage site AVOM5) reached the second highest stage on record cresting 3.56 feet above flood stage on March 16. The river remained in moderate flood stage at the end of the month.

Flood in PIPESTONE, MINNESOTA
From 18-MAR-19 19:00:00 to 24-MAR-19 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: AIRLIE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Snow melt and heavy rainfall (measured 1.70 inches at Pipestone) resulted in extensive flooding of agricultural lands. Initial flooding was sporadic and minor, but increased with slight warming later in the flooding period as water impacted a railroad bridge near the gage site. Pipestone Creek at Pipestone (gage site PIPM5) reached the fifth highest stage on record cresting 3.62 feet above flood stage on March 21.

Flood in COTTONWOOD, MINNESOTA
From 16-MAR-19 14:00:00 to 31-MAR-19 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: WESTBROOK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Snow melt and heavy rainfall (measured 1.50 inches at Tracy and 1.15 inches at Windom) resulted in significant flooding of agricultural lands. County Roads 6 and 44 were inundated with flood water for several days. The Des Moines River near Avoca (gage site AVOM5) reached the second highest stage on record cresting 3.56 feet above flood stage on March 16. The river remained in moderate flood stage at the end of the month.