Friday evening the Cannon River was well above flood stage at the dam by the entrance to North Alexander Park. More rain overnight into Saturday raised the river level even higher. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 21, 2024)
NEARLY 10 INCHES OF RAIN fell in the past eight days at my Faribault home, half of that in the last three days. The significant rainfall not only in my community, but throughout southern Minnesota, has resulted in flooding as rivers swell and overflow their banks.
The same dam scene Saturday morning. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 22, 2024)
By Saturday morning, the Cannon encroached on even more land and the river rose higher under the Second Avenue bridge by the entrance to North Alexander Park. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 22, 2024)
This churning water at the dam shows the power of the river. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 21, 2024)
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz declared a peacetime emergency authorizing the National Guard to assist and support with emergency flood operations as needed. Faribault Mayor Kevin Voracek has declared a local emergency as my city deals with flooding. In nearby hard-hit Waterville, some residents have been evacuated. Mankato has also experienced significant flooding.
A police cruiser is parked Saturday morning under the historic viaduct near Teepee Tonka Park, an area prone to flooding. By Saturday evening, the Straight River had flooded even more of the park and surrounding land. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 22, 2024)
A chunk of south central Minnesota, including Faribault and other areas of Rice County, plus portions of Le Sueur, Steele and Waseca counties, remain in a flood warning until 10 a.m. Monday.
Teepee Tonka Park in Faribault, along the Straight River, was completely flooded Saturday morning. By evening, floodwaters crept onto the bridge. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 22, 2024)
Saturday morning the bridge at Teepee Tonka Park was open to pedestrians with a police officer stationed there. By evening, the bridge was cordoned off. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 22, 2024)
A Faribault police officer chats with the public and monitors the Straight River on the bridge into Teepee Tonka Park Saturday morning. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 22, 2024)
It’s a lot—this flooding of homes and businesses, city parks and railroad tracks, parking lots and roadways, cropland… A few blocks from my home, Xcel Energy crews are monitoring an electrical substation surrounded by water from the overflowing Straight River.
Floodwaters surround this warning sign by the Woolen Mill Dam. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 21, 2024)
A fire department truck stops on the Second Avenue bridge over the Cannon River on Friday evening as emergency personnel keep an eye on the rising river. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 21, 2024)
Police tape along the Cannon River by North Alexander Park is in place to keep people away from the roiling river. Friday evening the river nearly touched the bottom of the bridge. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 21, 2024)
I arrived home from church late this morning to automated messages from the 911 emergency system. One issued a cautionary warning from public safety officials to honor barricades by not walking or driving around them. Ignoring such signage in flooded areas will result in a citation from law enforcement.
Watching the swift-moving Cannon River from behind police tape Friday evening near the historic Faribault Mill. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 21, 2024)
Tree debris floats down the Cannon on Friday evening. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 21, 2024)
There’s a dam here, unseen as the Cannon River floods. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 21, 2024)
For the most part, I observed people being careful around floodwaters in Faribault while I was out on Friday evening and then again Saturday morning. The areas I accessed and photographed in that time frame have since been closed to the public, a smart move given the power of the river and the sheer volume of people checking things out. We are all naturally drawn to see for ourselves that which is unfolding in our backyard.
A car sits submerged in the parking lot of Two Rivers Health Center by Two Rivers Park on Saturday morning. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo June 22, 2024)
Two rivers—the Cannon and the Straight—run through Faribault, converging at Two Rivers Park. Near that park, a car sat submerged Saturday morning in a parking lot. I’ve seen other vehicles sitting in floodwaters at the new riverside Straight River Apartments.
Along the Straight River on Third Avenue Northeast, floodwaters fill a backyard which, ironically, includes a boat. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 22, 2024)
Yet, as difficult as this flood event has been, it does not match the Faribault floods of 2010, 2014 and 2016, at least not from my recollection. Still, any flood is challenging.
Along the Straight River, a section of railroad tracks flooded. The Depot Bar & Grill patio is on the left. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 22, 2024)
For those affected, there’s clean-up and paperwork and unexpected expenses. Emergencies like this often bring out the best in people, as a community comes together. At the local government level, I expect emergency personnel have been working overtime. The Rice County Landfill, rural Dundas, opens at 7:30 a.m. Monday to begin accepting flood-contaminated materials.
Below the historic viaduct, the Straight River overflows its banks Saturday morning. By evening, it had risen even more. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 22, 2024)
I am fortunate. There’s no flooding in my home or yard. But I know others are struggling. I hope that in Sunday’s sunshine—finally, a day without rain—they feel a sense of hope. Floodwaters will recede. And life will, eventually, return to normal.
Walking along the Cannon River by the dam Friday evening, before the river flooded even more. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo June 21, 2024)
I’m amazed at all the water that’s moving around this state at the moment – down where you are and around Duluth. It’s a blessing that no one has been seriously injured or killed by all this water – here’s hoping it stays that way.
Great perspective of another historic time. Living on the bluff, removed from what surely was “weather”. Trees blew down, didn’t flood. My memory is tornadoes and wind affecting the farming areas, Owatonna, Morristown, etc. Farmers walking cows down country roads. Before 2010, I don’t remember citizen sandbagging initiatives like then. I hope someone at RCHS does research and a historical chronicle back to the 40s of how nature rules. Education. Awareness. Spring melting is one thing, this is something else. Some educator has words. Thanks, again!
I’m sorry to hear that. Yes, so much going on from flooding to excessive heat. Currently, there’s a dam in rural southern Minnesota at risk for imminent failure.
My photos from Northfield were much better, simply because of the perspective one gets of the Cannon and flooding from the bridges.
Just fyi, the “beaver tree” is inaccessible as the trail leading to and past it is completely flooded. The river comes right up to the edge of the Straight River Trail along the paved part. We walked part of it yesterday. Farther down, the trail is closed due to flooding.
this is just so hard on a community, and everyone is impacted in some way, some more than others. i’m glad you have the national guard helping, it’s going to take lots of hands to help. i’m sorry for the people who have flooded homes and businesses. this extreme weather is running rampant around the country.
Your statement about extreme weather running rampant seems accurate. Waterville to the west of Faribault is really the community hardest hit by floodwaters. And then farther to the west, a dam near Mankato is in imminent danger of failing.
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I’m amazed at all the water that’s moving around this state at the moment – down where you are and around Duluth. It’s a blessing that no one has been seriously injured or killed by all this water – here’s hoping it stays that way.
Yes, the ferocity of the rivers is unbelievable. Like you, I hope everyone stays safe.
Great perspective of another historic time. Living on the bluff, removed from what surely was “weather”. Trees blew down, didn’t flood. My memory is tornadoes and wind affecting the farming areas, Owatonna, Morristown, etc. Farmers walking cows down country roads. Before 2010, I don’t remember citizen sandbagging initiatives like then. I hope someone at RCHS does research and a historical chronicle back to the 40s of how nature rules. Education. Awareness. Spring melting is one thing, this is something else. Some educator has words. Thanks, again!
Yes, lots of history to collect. Flooding this time of year is not what we expect. But, you’re right, we can’t control nature.
Flooding is so challenging and unpredictable even with the best forecasts and preparation. Prayers for all involved.
So true. Appreciating your prayers this morning.
So much flooding here in the Northeast as well. Many communities hit repeatedly. Be safe.
I’m sorry to hear that. Yes, so much going on from flooding to excessive heat. Currently, there’s a dam in rural southern Minnesota at risk for imminent failure.
It’s interesting to see your pictures of flooding from Faribault.
And Northfield, but I get to see it first-hand here. 😉
I remember helping to sand bag businesses along the river in the 2010 flood.
My photos from Northfield were much better, simply because of the perspective one gets of the Cannon and flooding from the bridges.
Just fyi, the “beaver tree” is inaccessible as the trail leading to and past it is completely flooded. The river comes right up to the edge of the Straight River Trail along the paved part. We walked part of it yesterday. Farther down, the trail is closed due to flooding.
Interesting to know about the Beaver Tree. I can picture a flooded trail there.
The river is scary fast.
this is just so hard on a community, and everyone is impacted in some way, some more than others. i’m glad you have the national guard helping, it’s going to take lots of hands to help. i’m sorry for the people who have flooded homes and businesses. this extreme weather is running rampant around the country.
Your statement about extreme weather running rampant seems accurate. Waterville to the west of Faribault is really the community hardest hit by floodwaters. And then farther to the west, a dam near Mankato is in imminent danger of failing.
that’s so scary