MPR’s Gary Eichten checks in with regional reporters on the historic flooding that hit the city of Rochester. After torrential rain, the Zumbro River overflowed and is causing extensive damage to area.
Rochester received 4.99 inches in 3 hours on the July 5th, creating flash flood conditions. The South Fork Zumbro River and its tributaries (Bear Creek, Silver Creek, Cascade Creek) went into flood stage. The event was considered Rochester's worst natural disaster in almost 100 years and the worst flood in the city's history. One-fourth of city, mainly south and northeast sections, was inundated by up to 6 feet deep turbulent flood water. There were five fatalities related to the flooding. This was one of four major flash floods to affect southeast Minnesota during the summer of 1978.
Transcripts
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GARY EICHTEN: Well, the worst flood in the history of the city hit Rochester today. At last report, five people had died and thousands have been evacuated or left homeless.
And while the flooding Zumbro River that cuts through the city of Rochester has now started to recede, the river is now rising downstream, heading for a crest at Zumbro Falls, some six feet over flood stage early tomorrow morning. And, perhaps, worst of all, as you just heard, the National Weather Service says, there is a 60% chance of more rain in the southeastern portions of Minnesota tonight and tomorrow.
KLC reporters have been on the scene in and around Rochester throughout this day, and they're standing by right now with an update on the situation. First of all, Terri Keefe has been at the Rochester Courthouse in downtown Rochester throughout the day. And, Terri, what is the latest situation? Is it still true that five people have died as a result of the flooding?
TERRI KEEFE: It's still true. There's been some controversy about that, some uncertainty about the actual numbers of casualties all day long. There have been reports that five were killed and reports that nine were killed.
There are only five confirmed deaths. Four of those occurred at 1:00 AM in a nursing home right in the city. It occurred when an elevator in the nursing home malfunctioned. The elevator slipped and went down instead of up. And the passengers in the elevator, three senior citizens in wheelchairs, and one nurse's aide drowned. The other death was occurred when a woman's car went over the road just southwest of town, about 15 miles southwest of town.
GARY EICHTEN: Terri, did the city have much of a warning that the river was going to go over its banks?
TERRI KEEFE: Well, I don't think so. I think there were severe thunderstorm warnings, but I don't know. It happened so suddenly. The rain just stopped. The torrential rain came down, began last night about 7:30, and just continued until 2 o'clock in the morning, just unabated.
The first flooding actually started last night shortly after midnight. It was Silver Creek right in Rochester was the actual first area to be flooded. The power plant in the city is located just on the southwest corner of Silver Lake, where Silver Creek runs into it.
And, of course, the power plant was flooded. Power's been off since 8:15 this morning. Telephones have been out. Although, some phones are working now. And power is on the outskirts of the city. Although, service hasn't come back throughout the entire area.
GARY EICHTEN: Any estimates now as to just how many people have been evacuated and the amount of damage that's been done? Any early guesses in that?
TERRI KEEFE: Well, that's still rough. The estimates that I've heard have been that 4,000 people were evacuated. Incidentally, all of the other residents of that nursing home, where the four people were killed, were evacuated safely and moved to the emergency shelter center at Rochester State Hospital.
Estimates about damage are really hard to come by. The mayor got on the air at noon and said $30 to $40 million damage in the city of Rochester, itself. About an hour ago, at a press conference, Senator Anderson said, he thought $50 million. Flooding was considerable, as we've been saying all day in the center of the city.
A number of homes were flooded. Gas mains were broken in private homes. Two shopping malls were flooded. Apache Mall south of town, North Brook Mall in the northern part of the town. Libby's Canning Company was flooded. And, of course, as I said, the power plant. So it's really hard to put a numerical figure on it. I think it's been hard all day to get real specific facts, because evacuation has just continued all day long.
In fact, boats are still out. They're not pulling people into the emergency center anymore or rescuing them from homes. That's pretty much been done, but they're still out just assessing damage, and making sure that people are secure there.
There were a couple of pretty dramatic rescues today. Early in the morning, they started launching boats off from the Kmart parking lot in town. Fifteen people were picked up by helicopter off the roof of a dairy building on Broadway, which is one of the main thoroughfares through town.
One woman jumped or fell from the second story of her home and attempting to get picked up by a rescue boat. And she was swept up in the river and then picked up in it from a tree top about 100 yards down the river.
GARY EICHTEN: Goodness gracious. Is there any indication-- I know Governor Perpich and Senator Anderson were in town today. Was there any indication of any kind of immediate relief for the city, any help?
TERRI KEEFE: Well, Governor Perpich and Senator Wendell Anderson both came in at the request of Mayor Alex Smetka. He is asking, requesting both state and federal aid. And it seems that we'll get a response within the next 48 hours. Senator Anderson said that the White House, he's expecting President Carter to respond within the next 48 hours.
As to exactly how much aid we would get, what the extent of that aid would be, we don't know right now, Senator Anderson did say that while the aid, historically, has been sufficient for the municipalities, he felt that it's insufficient for private homes and private businessmen. But Governor Perpich did add that there is $2 million of state money available as a pool of emergency money available, but he didn't specify as to how much of that money could actually be tapped.
Right now, there are six inspection teams out. Sixty Minnesota National Guardsmen are out, and they will be relieved tonight by 30 more people coming in. But as I said, within two or three days after Senator Anderson submits his request to President Carter, we should hear about the extent of federal financial disaster aid.
GARY EICHTEN: Terri, what were the people saying downtown today, where you were at the courthouse about the rain? What happens if you do get some more rain?
TERRI KEEFE: That's the $60 million question. At the press conference, someone asked that of Alex Smetka, the mayor of Rochester. And he just said, we pray. Oh, that wasn't a sufficient answer, but they're just hoping that if the rain is moderate, if it's not real heavy, we might be able to make it. If it's a heavy rainfall, again, we just don't know what'll happen.
The chief of police is urging anyone in the flood-- well, anyone in the heavily flooded area has been evacuated. I really can't say what we'll do, if there's any more rain. It'll be just a tremendous problem. I don't know what will happen.
GARY EICHTEN: One quick question, then I guess we'll talk with Chris Ryg a little bit, who I guess is there too. Travel, is it possible in and out of the city?
TERRI KEEFE: It's possible to a limited extent. The Highway 14, which goes west in and out of Rochester to Owatonna, has been open all day. Travel north on Highway 63, that's been closed all day. Travel east on 14 to Winona has been closed. Highway 63 going out of the city and 52 South, those roads have been open and closed. Have been varying reports all day. And I'd hate to actually venture as to what the situation is right now.
GARY EICHTEN: OK. Chris Ryg, I understand that you took a helicopter ride today and got an overview, literally and figuratively, of the situation in and around Rochester. Is that right?
CHRIS RYG: Gary, Governor Perpich and Senator Anderson did an aerial tour by National Guard helicopter this afternoon. That helicopter was then made available for tours of the flood area by the news media.
And it's really only by air that we could see the amount of destruction and devastation that took place in Rochester overnight. We had only seen a small amount of the damage made, or that we could see today by auto. The Zumbro River Valley is normally a narrow, shallow stream through Rochester. But today, it's one eighth mile wide in places, particularly north of the city.
We first passed over a gravel pit north of the city by helicopter that was completely flooded. The gravel digging cranes were underwater to the tips of their booms. Cornfields north of the city were covered by water, as the river fanned out from the city. Even away from the river, there were large ponds that had formed in fields and ravines throughout the Rochester area.
Here and there, we could see the destructive force of the river as it cut into the riverbanks and across roads. Debris was floating in the water, including trees, barrels and tires. And there were reports of several automobiles that went down the river today. One of the problems they had here in Rochester was a number of propane tanks and gasoline tanks had broken loose, and they were lodging beneath the bridges as the water was right up to the bottom of the bridges.
And officials were very concerned that they might have some explosions in the downtown area. So far, that has not happened. From the air, we could see cars and trucks were under water in several parts of the city. Some of these were overturned with only their tires showing, and that showed the amount of pressure that that stream had generated.
The Northbrook Shopping Center, as Terri mentioned, north of the city, had water up to the rooftops. Apache Mall to the south also had water in its parking lot. And the owners of Apache Mall had piled sand piles near the doors and windows in order to prevent flooding. There was also a trailer park in the city near Northbrook Shopping Center that was underwater. And that was very clear from the air. Of course, all those people were evacuated well before the water rose. The
Worst flooding was near Silver Lake, north of the downtown area, and just south of the downtown area. There was also some bad flooding near Soldiers Field Park. Both of those areas were completely underwater. You couldn't even see today from the air the outline of Silver Lake, which is usually a gentle pond where the Rochester geese stay during the winter.
The park, of course, where the golf course is located, was completely underwater. And many of the sand pits on the golf course, had been washed out. The sewage treatment plant, which is north of the city, was surrounded by water. But the plant itself did not go under. And of course, Terri had mentioned that the city power plant had flood waters throughout the plant grounds. And some of that water was covering the piles of coal that's used to generate electricity.
The Rochester Arts Center, the Civic Theater and the Civic Auditorium, all of those right downtown in a cluster, also had water all around those buildings. We don't know how badly they were damaged by the waters. And in Southeast Rochester, streets were flooded, and pavement was buckled and broken up in places. You could see where the water had just pushed all the blacktop or concrete to one side.
There is a little bit of new information. There is an oil slick that has formed over the flooded areas in Rochester, and in some places, you can smell that oil. The National Guard helicopter pilot told me that that oil slick had formed at midday, but the source of the oil slick was not known at this time. The waters are receding now, but the amount of water is really incredible to behold. It's just an incredible experience for all of us who have seen the Zumbro River as a peaceful stream turn into a raging, destructive river.
The cleanup has begun in certain parts of the city. There were people out. We could see from the air taking out furniture and trying to dry out. But as you know, if it rains, again, Rochester will be in trouble.
GARY EICHTEN: OK. Thank you very much, Chris. Chris Ryg and Terry Keefe in Rochester. And we're going to take a look at the situation downstream momentarily, but we have some more bad news to report. This concerns West Central Minnesota now. The National Weather Service has just issued a severe thunderstorm warning in effect until 6:10 this evening for the Western half of Swift County, Western half of Chippewa County, Lac qui Parle County, and Southern Big Stone County in extreme West Central Minnesota.
Last radar summary indicated, there was s line of very strong thunderstorms in extreme West Central Minnesota, and they were moving Northeast at 30 to 35 miles per hour. Also, a report of one-inch hail in Lac qui Parle County. And 60 to 65-mile-per-hour winds in the Madison, Minnesota area. So again, a severe thunderstorm warning in effect for the extreme West Central portions of Minnesota until 6 o'clock this evening, 6:10 this evening rather. And that severe thunderstorm warning in effect for the western half of Swift County, the Western half of Chippewa, Lac qui Parle County, and Southern Big Stone Counties in extreme West Central Minnesota.
We will be checking back in with Chris and Terri in downtown or in the city of Rochester a bit later in the program. Right now, we have John Gatto on the line. And John has been manning the Zumbro River downstream from Rochester throughout this day. Actually, the Zumbro runs north out of Rochester, I guess, into Wabasha County. And John, where are you right now?
JOHN GATTO: I'm calling from Zumbro Falls right now. Gary, Oh, I'm about 200 yards or so away from the river. And the way the river goes through town here, there's embankments on both sides. And so I can't see the river from where I am, luckily. If I'd be seeing the river, then chances are a good portion of the town would be underwater already.
People here in Zumbro Falls and along Lake Zumbro, which is just south of here, are doing the same thing, now, that they've been doing all day long. And that's hoping and praying, just like the mayor has been doing, that the Zumbro River won't go too far above flood stage. But at the same time, they have been preparing for the worst.
Residents, campers, and a number of volunteers from Wabasha, Olmsted, and Goodhue counties have been sandbagging since early this morning. Many of the rivers immediate residents have packed up personal belongings, locked up their homes, and have made their ways to friends and families nearby to wait out the river's verdict.
Here in town, right in Zumbro Falls, I was really amazed when I drove into town. There's a couple of semi-trailer that are downtown by department stores. Owners are just packing up all of their belongings and just shipping them right out. It looks like the whole town is just ready to pick up and move.
I have talked to some people who feel that they're on high enough ground that they don't have to worry about it. Just how true that is well, let's hope we don't have to really see if they're wrong or not. Otherwise, things have been going pretty much the same all afternoon. There hasn't been any change. I really don't like the bad news about that severe weather. That sounds like it may be heading this way because that will really scare the people in this area.
GARY EICHTEN: John, I have a question for you. I know all day, there's been some concern about the safety of the dam. This is on Lake Zumbro, I believe.
JOHN GATTO: Right. Let me explain this.
GARY EICHTEN: What's going on with that?
JOHN GATTO: The deal with this is that there's a power dam that's on the northern tip of Lake Zumbro. And this, of course, is what backs up the water to form the lake in the first place. Now, early this morning, authorities found a slight crack in part of the dam. And they were really concerned about it at first. But after checking around with other people, they realized that chances are, this was here beforehand and was not caused by this water.
However, with the pressure of the water, as great as it is, they definitely are concerned that it may give way to a bigger crack and possibly even the whole dam going down, which would really be a bad scene on this end. It would virtually just wash out a good part, a good portion of the River Valley right through here. And we're really not looking forward to that at all.
GARY EICHTEN: But right now, they believe that the dam will hold.
JOHN GATTO: That's what they're saying at this point. They've been keeping a close eye on it on and off all day. And apparently, it hasn't really given way to much, if any at all. And I guess that's about it as far as the dam goes.
One other thing I did earlier this morning, I just thought I'd mention is that before I made my way to this end of Wabasha County, I made a quick tour through the Whitewater Park area, which was so heavily hit over the weekend. And luckily, they escaped the big portion of the rain. It seems like the rain, just the bigger portion, ceased just east of Rochester, which made it unfortunate for Rochester. But lucky for the people in Whitewater Park.
A good portion, in fact, almost all of Highway 74, which runs from St. Charles north to the river at Weaver is completely closed. I took a chance at driving through there today, and there were a half a dozen places where you were driving with half the car on the shoulder and half the car, just trying to grab a hold of the pavement that was left.
The park itself, there, about half of the park or the camping areas have been washed out. And there's a couple of them that it doesn't look like they're even going to be able to get them back in use for the rest of this summer. So it's a pretty bad scene down there, but it could have been worse, considering what Rochester did have.
GARY EICHTEN: OK. Thanks very much, John. And we'll be looking forward to hearing some more from you later in the program. We'll be checking back in to see if that situation remains stable, downstream from Rochester along the Zumbro River.
Once again, very briefly, we should note that a flash flood watch has been posted for tonight for the following counties in Southeastern Minnesota-- Goodhue, Wabasha, Dodge, Olmsted, Mower, Winona, Houston, and Fillmore. And a flash flood watch has also been posted for Southwestern and South Central Wisconsin from 6 o'clock tonight until 6 o'clock tomorrow morning.
And the National Weather Service has also issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the extreme west central portions of Minnesota. The affected counties are the Western half of Swift County, the Western half of Chippewa County, Lac qui Parle County, and Southern Big Stone County. Those areas are affected by a severe thunderstorm warning in effect until 6:10 this evening.