Heavy rain on Thursday, May 24 turned local rivers into raging torrents. Paul Sundberg captured the power of Cross River in Schroeder.
Throughout the Northland heavy rains caused roads to wash out and low areas to flood on Thursday, May 24. Much of Cook County received 2-3 inches of rain in less than 24 hours.
At 8:30 p.m. on May 24, the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Minnesota State Patrol closed Highway 61 approximately four miles west of Grand Marais to all vehicles except semi-trailers due to the flooding. Highway 61 was closed for about three hours while the State Patrol detoured motor vehicles to Birch Drive and then County Road 7.
State officials said they believed the flooding was due to a blocked drainage pipe east of Cut Face Creek.
The next morning the Cook County Highway Department closed County Road 35 near Lutsen to through traffic until emergency repairs could be made.
Cook County Highway Department Maintenance Supervisor Russell Klegstad said the washout was located mid-way on the one-mile-long loop, and residents could get to their houses from either end of the road.
Most of the county’s roads received little damage because crews were out unclogging culverts during the storm, said Lisa Sorlie, information officer for the county.
Downtown Grand Marais was awash in water, and the storm drains gushed profusely as the drains tried to handle the flow of water rushing down the hill. As usual, the parking lot, (called affectionately Lake Mianowski or Lake Sandbo by some) across from Grand Marais City Hall was about two feet under water, and at least for the night made a nice duck pond before draining in the morning.
As far as fire danger, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) web site shows the Northland and most of the state is safe for now. The National Weather Service 10-day forecast for northern Minnesota shows cooler temperatures and potential for rain every day.
While lakes and streams have been low for the past year, the continued rain has caused water levels to reach nearly normal levels to start out the summer. The National Weather Service issued a statement saying the constant rains have pushed the Northland out of drought conditions for the first time since last July.
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