Flooded Portion of Southeast Minnesota Highway Reopens
Wabasha, MN (KROC-AM News)- A flooded portion of a southeast Minnesota highway has reopened.
The reopening comes as flood waters along the Mississippi River begin to recede. The river crested in Lake City, Wabasha and Winona last week and brought some of the highest flood waters in recorded history.
MnDOT announced Wednesday morning that a stretch of Hwy. 60 between the river and Hwy. 61 in Wabasha has reopened. That part of the road was closed last month as the high water flooded the roadway. MnDOT put up barricades and detoured traffic looking to access Wabasha and the bridge into Wisconsin to higher ground during the closure.
Although the spring flooding season is winding down in southeast Minnesota, MnDOT offered reminders for motorists who encounter flooded roads:
- Do not drive around barricades or into flooded areas.
- Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control and possible stalling. A foot of water will float many vehicles. Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles and pick-ups.
- When a road is closed, it is illegal to travel in that area. Motorists can be fined up to $1,000 and/or 90 days in jail. If travelers need to be rescued from a closed road, other expenses and penalties will also apply.
- To find more information from MnDOT about flooding, visit MnDOT’s website.
Elsewhere in Minnesota MnDOT reopened a portion of Hwy. 19 near Henderson last week after that road had been overcome by high water along the Minnesota River. The agency says several highways in northwestern Minnesota remain closed as officials wait for flood waters from the Red River to recede.
