April 17, 2001 - The snow and wind that suddenly kicked up yesterday had members of the Army Corps of Engineers vigorously working to repair an eroding dike along lock number eight on the Mississippi in Genoa, (Jeh-NOAH) Wisconsin. The long hours of working against the elements are taking their toll. But, Terry Jessessky, the central area lock master, says, so far the dikes are holding.
April 17, 2001 - The Mississippi River is expected to crest tomorrow in Fountain City -- a tiny Wisconsin town located across the river from Winona. For the past two days, volunteers have been shoring up a weak spot in the dike that is threatening downtown. Fountain City Mayor, Carl Brommerich (Brum RICK) says the round-the-clock effort has paid off and so far the dike IS holding. He says, however, there's still a lot of water seeping into the town.
April 18, 2001 - State safety officials say the worst of the flooding is over. The Red River has already begun receding, and even though the lower Mississippi, Minnesota and St. Croix Rivers are just beginning to reach crest levels, safety officials say revised forecasts, good prepartion and coordination around the state will greatly minimize impact on those river communities. Minnesota Public Radio's Helms reports. {Safety officials say now that the Red River is receding and Valley communities are moving into the damage assessment phase, state emergency efforts are focusing on the Metro area.
April 18, 2001 - Flooding on the Minnesota River near Shakopee has engulfed a popular rollercoaster at Valleyfair. An aerial view of the partially submerged ride made the front page of the Star Tribune today. Amy Maikkula (MIKE-ul-uh) is marketing manager for Valleyfair. I asked her what she thought of the photo.
April 19, 2001 - The late thaw of the rivers and then the high crest of the rivers slowed down businesses dramatically because they were not able to ship and handle their ordered supplies.
April 19, 2001 - The Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers have crested in the Twin Cities area -- a bit earlier and lower than had been predicted. The Minnesota River crested southwest of the Twin Cities in Savage this afternoon at seventeen feet above flood stage. The Mississippi River crested in St. Paul this afternoon at 23.45 feet, nearly 9 and a half feet over flood stage. Ted Vanderbeek of the St. Paul Fire Department says the city was well prepared for the high water this year. But he says it will be a while before things return to normal.
April 19, 2001 - Communities along the Mississippi, Minnesota and St. Croix Rivers are waiting out crests as rain is forecast for much of Minnesota. Officials in Breckenridge, on the Red River, are seeing water levels drop slightly, but won't remove dikes because of the rain. Joining us on the line is Rich Naistat (NIE-stad), science and operations officer for the National Weather Service in Chanhassen. Rich Naistat (NIE-stad), science and operations officer for the National Weather Service in Chanhassen. Rich and University of Minnesota meteorologist Mark Seeley will be on Midday today to discuss preparing for severe weather.
April 20, 2001 - State safety officials say this weekend will be critical for communities living along the mid and lower Mississippi River valleys. With up to four inches of rain forecast, they're warning those communities to not yet tear down temporary dikes and levees. Minnesota Public Radio's Helms reports.
April 20, 2001 - This weekend, people around the world will ponder the condition of forests, fields, lakes and rivers in observation of Earth Day. Many local Earth Day events will focus on the Mississippi River. Bruce Johnson, executive director of the Rivers Council of Minnesota says the river is cleaner since the Clean Water Act was enacted in 1972, but there is still a lot of waste making its way into the basin.
April 23, 2001 - A snowstorm dumped close to a foot of heavy wet snow across parts of northern Minnesota this morning, causing school closings and treacherous driving conditions. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Robertson reports...