A slow moving area of occluded low pressure lingered over the Red River Valley of the North the 24th into the 25th. Waves of Gulf moisture streaming northward across the region led to a concentrated area of moderate to heavy rainfall that impacted areas between Duluth and Two Harbors starting late on the 23rd and continuing into the 24th. Additional moisture was contributed by Lake Superior along with extra lift from the terrain along the North Shore leading to rainfall totals of 4 to 7 inches from the Duluth area to around Silver Bay. Areas of flooding and flash flooding were reported through this corridor mainly affecting the Miller Creek, Tischer Creek, Schmidt Creek, French River, Knife River and Big Sucker River watersheds. Scoured and washed out roads and railroads tracks were the primary impacts from the flooding along with build up of debris along bridges from the high water.

Flash Flood in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 24-SEP-23 05:00:00 to 24-SEP-23 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: HUNTERS PARK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Rapidly flowing water was observed along Pitt Street in the Lakeside neighborhood of Duluth.

Flash Flood in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 24-SEP-23 11:00:00 to 24-SEP-23 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: HOMECROFT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Rainfall amounts of 4 to 6 inches were observed on the 23rd and 24th with the vast majority falling during the morning of the 24th. Tischer Creek was overwhelmed by the water across much of its run through Duluth. Water was backed up across a large portion of the Ridgeview Country Club damaging bridges along the course. Water was also flowing through neighborhoods across streets and open areas with water over a foot deep in places. The main affects were observed across the Woodland and Hunter's Park neighborhoods of Duluth.

Flash Flood in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 24-SEP-23 06:00:00 to 24-SEP-23 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAKEWOOD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Amity Creek was out of its banks following 3 to 5 inches of rainfall. The surging water damaged a gazebo along the creek along with numerous pedestrian bridges covering them with logs and other detritus.

Flash Flood in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 24-SEP-23 09:00:00 to 24-SEP-23 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: DULUTH HGTS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Fast flowing water 3 to 6 inches deep was running across yards and West Palm Street just upstream from the beginning of Coffee Creek in the Duluth Heights neighborhood.

Flash Flood in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 24-SEP-23 09:00:00 to 24-SEP-23 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAKEWOOD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Rainfall amounts of 5 to 7 inches were reported across much of Lakewood Township on the 24th leading to widespread flooding and flash flooding across the area. The Lester River was also out of its banks in the area. The flowing water washed out a few culverts and roads along Superior Street between Lakewood and McQuade roads. One spotter sent in photos of a river running through their normally dry yard that was 3 to 6 inches deep and moving quickly.

Flood in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 24-SEP-23 11:00:00 to 24-SEP-23 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: DULUTH HGTS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

The heavy rainfall led to Miller Creek spilling out of its banks and flooding parking lots in the vicinity of Maple Grove Road and Mall Drive in the Miller Hill Mall area. The water was around 6 inches deep or deeper and was completely surrounding buildings in the area. Portions of Mall Drive between Maple Grove and Haines roads were also under water from Miller Creek as well. Due to poor drainage, the flooding lasted into the evening hours before receding.

Flash Flood in ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 24-SEP-23 08:00:00 to 24-SEP-23 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: FRENCH RIVER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Rainfall amounts of 5 to 7 inches were recorded across the Schmidt Creek basin on the 23rd and 24th with the vast majority of the rainfall occurring on the 24th. This amount of water was significantly more than the creek could handle and issues began near the headwaters. A small culvert carrying the creek under Pioneer Junction Road failed starting with a sinkhole in the road before the fast moving waters completely scoured a channel through the road. Further downstream just after passing under Minnesota Highway 61, the rapidly flowing water encountered another too small culvert that carried the creek under the tracks of the North Shore Scenic Railroad. The water proceeded to scour out this culvert as well exposing a bridge that was originally built by the railroad at this location over 100 years prior. An NSSR train had passed over the bridge about an hour before the culvert failed and noted the developing washout. The train was then stranded in Two Harbors until the washout could be repaired a few days later.