Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) - Heavy rain fell across south central and southeastern Minnesota Wednesday night, leading to widespread flooding and closed roads in many areas.

The National Weather Service says Waseca was hit by around 9 inches of rain and the 48 hour total has risen to nearly 14 inches.

Totals across southeastern Minnesota were generally in the 2 - 5 inch range as of 6 a.m. Thursday. The highest total in Olmsted County was nearly 6 inches near Eyota.

More than 2 ½ inches fell at the Rochester airport between 10 p.m. and midnight Wednesday. The rainfall total for the day was 3.6 inches, more than double the previous daily rainfall record (1.38” -1986). That also raised the monthly total to more than 8 inches, making it the third wettest September on record.  More than half an inch fell after midnight, putting the 36 hour total at nearly 4 ½ inches.  

Heavy rain also fell in northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin with totals of 2 -5  inches. Floyd County in Iowa received 6 - 9 inches.

The Twin Cities area was also hit hard. The suburb of Maple Grove reported 10 inches of rain and this led to the overnight closure of a section of I-94 in the city. MNDOT brought in snowplows to help get the water off the freeway, which reopened around 5:30 Thursday morning.

More rain is expected Thursday, but it is not expected to be heavy. Still, residents may be dealing with wet conditions through the weekend.

Two area school districts are being affected by the heavy rain. The Hayfield district decided to open two hours late.  

The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva (NRHEG) district decided not to open at all.  Both districts are concerned about flooded and washed out roads.

 

According to the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office, these are the current road closures as of 745 AM Thursday:

County Road 105
County Road 120
County Road 126
County Road 150

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