Posted: 8/21/07
Area slammed by killer storm with over 19 inches of rain
By Charlie Warner
Argus Editor
Houston and Winona counties were smack dab in the middle of the bullís eye of a massive storm, which dumped over 19 inches of rain in 48 hours on already rain-soaked areas in Southeast Minnesota. The heavy rains hit early Saturday and didnít subside until Sunday afternoon. Six persons are confirmed dead, four in Winona County and two in Houston County.
The Houston County Sheriffís Office reported the names of the two Houston County residents who died during the flood.
At about 2 a.m., Sunday, August 19, the La Crescent Police Department notified the sheriffís office that David T. Blackburn, 37, Spring Grove, had died on CSAH 6 two miles west of La Crescent in the area known as Pine Creek in La Crescent Township.
A valiant rescue effort by the La Crescent Fire and Police departments were able to save Blackburnís wife Dawn and another passenger who had all been attending a concert at Fort McCoy Saturday. The group were traveling along CSAH 6 when Blackburn attempted to drive through water running across the roadway. The car slide in the ditch. According to reports, Blackburn was able to help his wife and their friend into a tree, but his foot got wedged between the car and a branch. The floodwaters continued to rise and swept Blackburn and the car away. He was found Sunday morning inside his car.
A second person, David R. Ask, 55, Houston, apparently drowned in the area of Storer Valley Road, just off County 21, in Mound Prairie Township. It is believed the incident occurred sometime over night on Saturday or Sunday.
The communities of Houston, Hokah, Brownsville, and La Crescent in Houston County were hardest hit, with initial damage estimated in the millions of dollars. Hundreds of volunteers converged on Houston County to help pull stranded motorists from stalled vehicles, rescue persons from homes surrounded by floodwaters by boats, setting up roadblocks, and clearing debris.
Both the Army National Guard and the Civil Air Patrol were called in to help with search and rescue and clean-up missions.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty addressed approximately 250 people during a 10 a.m. press conference held at Caledonia Middle School/High School Monday. Gov. Pawlenty applauded the hundreds of volunteers and rescue workers for their help, and that the rescue efforts would be wrapping up and the government was preparing reconstruction. He said he expects the region will receive federal aid to rebuild bridges and roads.
"We will do everything it takes," he said.
The Red Cross set up emergency shelters in the Caledonia Municipal Auditorium, where 18 persons spent Sunday night. Another 21 persons spent the night at a similar emergency shelter at the Brownsville Community Center, according to Kurt Kuhlers, emergency management officer for Houston County. Kuhlers reported during the press conference the official rainfall amount for 48 hours was 19.3 inches.
On Sunday, Pawlenty declared a state of emergency in six counties because of flooding. The counties include Winona, Wabasha, Fillmore, Houston, Steele and Olmsted counties. He sent 240 National Guard members to help with flood relief and provide security.
A National Guard command post was set up at the middle school/high school Sunday. Guardsmen utilized the wrestlingroom and mats, and several other rooms as sleeping quarters. The Red Cross, many area volunteers, and local businesses brought food, water, and other beverages for the National Guard personnel. And school staff and volunteers were on hand throughout Sunday night and Monday morning to make sure the young soldiers had what they needed to help them with the rescue effort.
The flooding, some of the worst on record, has come as rivers, creeks and streams have jumped their banks in six counties. Flood waters have washed out roads, destroyed bridges and swept houses away.
Two homes, located on the west bluff of the Mississippi River near Brownsville were totally destroyed when the torrential rains undermined the foundations. Debris from the Lynn Partington home and the Scott Woodard and Joannne Krenzke home were scattered all over Minnesota 26 between Brownsville and Hokah, closing the road for nearly a day.
At Mondayís press conference, which drew area TV stations, newspapers, as well as some from the Twin Cities, Houston County Board Chair Ann Thompson said the outpouring of help from residents all over the area was incredible. She applauded the many emergency services units for their tireless work and said if not for all the brave men and women, the devastating floods in Houston County could have been much worse. Thompson also thanked the city of Caledonia for serving as the command post for EMS and National Guard personnel.
Caledonia Mayor Mike Morey said after Mondayís meeting "I applaud our cityís emergency response services and our volunteers. They pulled together real well with the county units in setting up the emergency shelter. Iím really proud to be a leader of a community that has proven its service to people in need."
Houston residents were told Monday that they will be allowed to return to their homes. The city lifted its mandatory evacuation order as of 10 a.m. But city officials warn that residents may be required to leave if the area receives significant rainfall in the next few days and the Root River begins to rise.
Dave Schraeder, the CEO of Ace Communications Group told those attending Mondayís meeting much of Ace Communicationís network was knocked out by the floodwaters.
The flood filled the Rushford downtown area with standing water, wiping out some of the regionís 911 services when the telephone office in Rushford was destroyed by more than five feet of water standing in the main office. Most of that service has been restored, but some towns including Brownsville and Butterfield Valley are without land-line service due to a severed cable.
Schraeder said crews had been working since 11 a.m. Sunday. "Weíre doing the best we can," said
County officials and the Governor boarded a Minnesota National Guard Blackhawk helicopter Monday afternoon to view some of the hardest hit areas of Houston County.
Tom Murphy contributed information for this article.
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