Governor Walz on Saturday night activated the Minnesota National Guard to provide support for emergency flood operations across the state.
Heavy rain has pushed many rivers and streams close to or over their banks.
State public safety officials say at least 36 Minnesota counties are affected by flood waters, with that number growing by the day.
“Across the state, intense rain has had catastrophic effects. Flooding has left entire communities under feet of water, causing severe damage to property and numerous road closures. As flooding continues, the National Guard is ready to step up to help our neighbors,” said Governor Walz in a statement. “Their response will provide invaluable support that will be critical in ensuring the safety of Minnesotans during this difficult time.”
Although cresting of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers are expected until later this week in Minneapolis and St. Paul, there are closures in the Twin Cities metro because of the floodwaters.
The Minnesota and Mississippi merge at Fort Snelling, which is closed because nearly all trails are flooded.
St. Anthony Falls lock and dam in Minneapolis is closed to recreational boat traffic.
Over in St. Paul, a stretch of Warner Road and Shepard Road is closed because of water spilling over the banks of the Mississippi River.
City officials in Stillwater declared a state of emergency and closed the historic lift bridge.
Among the agencies already asking for help from the National Guard is LeSueur County, located west of Faribault, where a peacetime emergency has been declared.
Measurements show the community of Waterville has already gotten nearly twenty inches of rainfall over the past three days.
The town of Waterville is squeezed between Tetonka and Sekata lakes, which are connected by a short stretch of waterway.
Officials also say the Cannon River has reached uncontrollable levels, and is close to a record crest in Northfield.
That crest is expected to happen on Sunday.
The flood-swollen Cannon River has already caused significant damage, and residents living near the waterway have been evacuated.
Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, along with Congresswoman Angie Craig, all traveled to Northfield and Waterville on Sunday.
Volunteers gathered at the baseball field in Dundas
Sandbagging has been taking place in various parts of the effected area.
In the Twin Cities, Minnehaha Creek is close to reaching record levels of nearly 17 feet, which happened ten years ago.
In Northern Minnesota, residents have been battling high water since late last week.
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