Toby Nelson

Toby,

Been thinking about you. How are you doing in the flooded north country? Are you south of the worst of it?

Biggastractor

Thanks for asking Rick, fortunately we stayed dry right here but most every town to the north, west, and south of us was underwater. Kerrick is about 50 miles south of Duluth where the majority of it started - the city of Duluth is perched on top of and down the side of a huge hill that goes right to the shore of Lake Superior. It's 800 feet elevation difference from the top of Duluth down to where the city hits the shore, and 43 different lakes, rivers, and streams drain down through the city itself and into Lake Superior. When that area got the 10+ inches of rain in less than 24 hours the water overwhelmed everything in the city, most of the streets literally became rivers. In fact the previous rainfall record for that area was 7.5 inches in 72 hours set back in 1907 so this storm was something nobody was prepared for. When the storm drains became overwhelmed, some of the water formed a 40 foot wide, 20 foot deep river that tore right through the Duluth Zoo, drowning 15 or so animals and washing a polar bear and two seals out into the city where they roamed around until they could be caught again.

The day after Duluth flooded, the water that didn't run into Lake Superior had made it south to our area. My mom works at the post office in Moose Lake, a town about 15 miles from here. When she went into work last Thursday morning the water had already started flooding the town and by 11:00 am 50% of the town was under water and there was only one remaining road still open to get in or out. By the end of the day, every road in or out of Moose Lake was under water and the town was cut off. The post office stayed dry but the only way she could get home was to walk the bike trail out of town (it's a narrow abandoned elevated railroad grade that was paved for bicycle and recreation vehicle use) to where it paralells Hwy 61 where my dad was able to drive to meet her. That town has never flooded for as long as records have been kept.

Most of the water has receeded now, you wouldn't believe how many dump trucks are hauling trying to fill in washed out areas. Gravel and fill have turned into precious commodities around here, everybody that has a pit is busy 24 hours a day right now and I've even seen trucks from out of state hauling. Lots of work for them right now. Luckily, all we had here was a brief loss of power, nothing more.

Toby,

Thanks for the reply. I knew you were close. Just didn't know how close. I have seen all the news stories and photos; they'e horrible. Glad you are not personally affected. My heart goes out to those who have lost everything.

Biggastractor