Minnesota prepares for potential flooding after Texas disaster

In the summer of 2025, Minnesota emergency managers convened with the National Weather Service to discuss flooding preparedness following a devastating flash flood event in Kerrville, Texas. This meeting underscored the need for stronger relationships among emergency responders, particularly after Texas faced catastrophic conditions when the Guadalupe River quickly rose to dangerous levels. Meteorologist Lisa Meadows highlighted the unusual combination of elements that contributed to the Texas flooding, including a Tropical Storm that had saturated the region before torrential rains caused destruction. The discussions also focused on the risks Minnesota faces, even with a marginal flash flooding risk as noted by Meadows. The Northland has witnessed significant flooding in past summers, with rainfalls reminiscent of Texas’s recent disaster. During one incident last summer, Cook, Minnesota experienced flooding for the first time in 50 years due to an unexpected deluge that highlighted the area’s vulnerability. St. Louis County, which spans approximately 7,000 square miles, is Minnesota's largest county and serves diverse communities from Duluth to the Boundary Waters. Josh Brinkman, the county's emergency operations manager, emphasized the importance of drafting preparedness plans, coordinating with first responders, and ensuring clear public messaging. Brinkman also mentioned the importance of planning for emergencies where camping operations are concerned. By confirming rosters and emergency contacts, camp directors can better protect attendees during a potential flooding crisis, ensuring that everyone is accounted for and informed should disaster strike. His remarks indicate a growing recognition of the need for both individual responsibility and comprehensive emergency management strategies in light of increasingly extreme weather patterns.