Rapidan Dam failure leads to mass flooding in southern Minnesota

In Rapidan Township, Minnesota, the Blue Earth River breached the Rapidan Dam on Monday morning, leading officials to declare it in an "imminent failure condition." Le Sueur County residents in low-lying areas of the Minnesota River Valley were advised to monitor the situation closely and consider evacuating. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for downstream areas until 4:30 p.m. Debris accumulation at the 114-year-old dam, located 10 miles southwest of Mankato, prompted concerns about its stability. Governor Tim Walz released a statement addressing the situation, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the safety of Minnesotans as the dam crisis unfolds. The County Road 33 Bridge and County Road 90 Bridge are under close monitoring for potential debris flow downstream, with the possibility of closure if necessary. The failure of the dam is expected to lead to the Minnesota River at Mankato cresting just below major flood state on Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service. The catastrophic flooding in Minnesota, described by Governor Walz as leaving "entire communities under feet of water," has prompted significant damage and evacuations. Waterville, in Le Sueur County, faced historic flooding, with the Minnesota National Guard activated to assist. The emergency proclamation highlighted the uncontrollable levels of Tetonka Lake, Sakatah Lake, and the Cannon River due to intense rainfall, causing severe damage to property and road closures. Across the state, intense rain has led to numerous road closures and property damage, with communities like Waterville experiencing unprecedented flooding. The efforts of residents, volunteers, and emergency responders have been crucial in mitigating the impact of the flooding, with ongoing flood warnings in place for Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Local officials and residents continue to work tirelessly to address the aftermath of the devastating flooding event.