In response to heavy rainfall, numerous counties and rivers in Minnesota are currently under flood warnings, with river levels expected to continue rising over the next few days. The situation has worsened overnight as another round of heavy rain swept through the area, exacerbating the ongoing flooding problem.

As of 11:00 AM on Saturday, several road closures and detours have been implemented to ensure public safety. Highway 93, between Highway 169 and Le Sueur, has been closed since June 22, and motorists are advised to seek alternate routes. Additionally, the Highway 99 Minnesota River bridge in St. Peter has been closed since 7 PM on June 21, redirecting traffic to Le Sueur County Roads 21 (Golf Course Road), Shanaska Creek Road, and Highway 22. Meanwhile, Highway 75, south of Luverne to the Iowa border, and Highway 91, north of Adrian, have also been affected.

Thankfully, some road conditions have improved. The lane restriction on Highway 86, located two miles south of I-90, has been removed. However, there are still highways being closely monitored for potential closures or lane restrictions, including Highway 99 east of the Minnesota River bridge and Highway 71 near Jackson.

In addition to the impact on major highways, several city streets and township roads have also been closed due to flooding. Cottonwood Street in New Ulm is currently closed from Hwy #15 to Butternut Street, while Judson Bottom Road in North Mankato is impassable.

Residents are urged to stay updated on the latest road conditions and detour routes by monitoring www.511mn.org. Numerous cities in the affected areas have made sand and sandbags available to help alleviate the flood risk. Moreover, the City of Jackson is seeking volunteers to assist in filling and placing sandbags at the Public Works building on the south side (53053 780th St. Jackson, MN) starting at 8:30 AM on Saturday.

With the situation expected to persist over the next few days and river levels continuing to rise, it is crucial for residents in the affected counties to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.