Online update: Carlton County officials issue flood alert

Because of the recent high temperatures and reduced overnight freezing, Carlton County is already beginning to experience flooding in many areas.

The National Weather Service issued a flood warning Thursday for Carlton County that will last through 4 p.m. Monday. Numerous roads remain closed or washed out due to flooding and streams continue to rise due to excess runoff from earlier rainfall and snowmelt. Low water crossings are inundated with water and may not be passible, a county warning warned.

Flooding is already encroaching on homes near the Floodwood River.

"Spring melt and summer rainfall can produce flash flooding in a matter of hours and it is important that all residents understand the importance of preparedness, how to protect themselves from risks out in the community, and resources for help for both mitigation and clean-up," said Carlton County emergency management director Marlyn Halvorson in a county news release.

The same release listed locations that will experience flooding, including the following:

SUPERIOR, Cloquet, HERMANTOWN, TWO HARBORS, PROCTOR, SCANLON,

CARLTON, FLOODWOOD, OLIVER, Cromwell, THOMSON, BROOKSTON,

SAGINAW, Fond du Lac Band BROOKSTON AREA, FOND DU LAC BAND

Cloquet AREA, PIKE LAKE NEAR DULUTH, Fond du Lac Band SAWYER

AREA, CITY OF RICE LAKE, FRENCH RIVER AND STONEY POINT.

One of the easiest ways to receive updated advisories, warnings and alerts is to sign up for Everbridge, Carlton County's Emergency Alert System. These alerts can be delivered in a way you prefer – texts, calls, email, etc. Please find more information and sign up here: https://www.co.carlton.mn.us/262/Emergency-Alerts or

http://www.WEATHER.GOV/SAFETY/FLOOD.

Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) encourages the following steps for flood preparation.

-Assemble an emergency supply kit

-Make an emergency plan for you and your family

-Get a NOAA Weather Radio

-Prepare your home (elevate appliances, construct barriers, seal basement walls, etc.)

"One of the most important safety precautions during active flooding is safety while driving," Halvorson continues, "a foot of water can float many vehicles and water can be deeper than it appears."

If you notice any road washouts or other concerns while traveling, please contact Carlton County's Transportation Department at 218-384-9150. Without knowing the flow or what hazards are below the surface, Halvorson and Carlton County's Transportation Department both recommend abiding by the statement: "Turn around, don't drown".

If you, or someone you know, including a business/school/etc. needs sandbags, please contact your local fire department for availability of sandbags. Flooding can pose a risk of contamination of private wells. Please refer to the Minnesota Department of Health's website for well safety and testing: https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/water/wells/natural/floodprecautions.html.

Check the Carlton County Website's Homepage (https://www.co.carlton.mn.us/) for any news flash updates and additional Resident resources.

Additional flood monitoring and preparedness resources are as follows:

The National Weather Service Spring Flooding Information and Resources: https://www.weather.gov/dlh/spring-flooding

The National Weather Service Monitoring of the St. Louis River at Scanlon:

https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=dlh&gage=scnm5

HSEM Preparing your home for flooding: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/hsem/weather-awareness-preparedness/Documents/Flood%20Safety%20Checklist%20-%20HomeFlooding.pdf

Ready.gov: https://www.ready.gov/floods

Minnesota Department of Health: https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/emergency/natural/flood/prepare.html