Grand Marais Library currently closed due to flooding

The morning of Wednesday, April 6th rain and melting snow created a surge of stormwater and water began pooling on The Grand Marais Library floor. Library staff immediately began removing the water with wet vacs. Grand Marais facilities maintenance crew removed snow from around the building to create channels to divert surface water away from the library. The water continued to collect faster than staff was able to remove it. It became clear that the city needed more resources to manage the water and minimize damage SERVPRO was hired to provide additional vacuums, industrial dehumidifiers, and blowers.

At the time of writing, April 14th, the City is still mitigating flooding in the library. Multiple City departments are helping by operating vacuums and providing assistance related to containing and preventing water damage. The County has provided equipment to help with the containment effort.

Library staff have moved all of the materials in the collection out of areas where they would be in direct contact with pooling water. No materials have been submerged or damaged directly and are currently stored in a safe elevated area of the library. Library Director Amanda St. John stated: “City/Library Staff have been heartened by the community’s concern for the library and are working very hard to reopen the Library as soon as possible.”