Flash-flood warnings in the Duluth and North Shore areas have been extended until 10:30 p.m., the National Weather Service in Duluth said.
Another inch or more of rain is possible today.
Flooding already has caused massive damage in Duluth and surrounding areas, with roads crumbling, homes and businesses flooded, and zoo animals drowned.
Mayor Don Ness declared a state of emergency in the city of Duluth, citing significant damage, debris and popped manholes.
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton said he will visit Duluth on Thursday to assess the flood damage.
This morning my thoughts are with our friends and neighbors in Duluth and the surrounding region, as they respond to major flooding, Dayton said in a statement. I have spoken to Duluth Mayor Don Ness and have offered all possible state assistance now and during the recovery.
On his Facebook page, Ness advised residents who live in a low area near the river to seek higher ground. He noted that crews are out in force and will be aided by people staying off the roads.
We have a coordinated response with city, county, State Patrol, Coast Guard, Red Cross, and the feds ready to help, Ness wrote. I've been very impressed with the coordinated effort to this point. Thank you to the leaders from across the state offering their help and support. There is another band of rain on our way, so it is likely to get worse before it gets better.
Evacuations are under way in the Fond du Lac neighborhood of Duluth and Thomson Township in Carlton County, and officials at the Lake Superior Zoo are assessing damage and counting their losses after animals drowned and some escaped in the flooding. Duluth fire and police crews helped zoo staff track down animals.
All animals are now accounted for.
At one point, the zoos polar bear, Berlin, was able to escape its exhibit. The female bear was darted by the zoos veterinarian and is safe in quarantine, said zoo spokeswoman Keely Johnson. None of the zoos dangerous animals got outside the perimeter fence, she said.
The Polar Shores exhibit, which housed the seals and Berlin, has been completely flooded out, according to zoo spokeswoman Keely Johnson. At one point the seal swam out of its exhibit and was found on Grand Avenue.
Johnson said many of the zoos animals have drowned, including all but one of the zoos barnyard animals. She said the zoos donkey, goats and sheep have died. She said its possible others have drowned, as flooding on the grounds have consumed some of the exhibits, such as the raven and vulture cages.
Obviously, our entire staff is devastated, said Peter Pruett, the zoos director of animal management.
Johnson said a culvert for Kingsbury Creek was backed up and caused the flooding, but that culvert is now completely washed out.
The water is starting to recede a little bit, Johnson said.
Its not going to get any better any time soon, Dean Melde, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service, said shortly after 10 a.m. In Duluth, we could easily see another 2 inches, and theres a line of strong to severe storms forming to our west that could bring more.
Melde said the recent downpour resulted from high levels of moisture in the atmosphere combined with strong lift from a low pressure system that has slowed the system to a crawl.
Although moisture levels are typically much drier during the winter, Melde said an inch of rain usually equates to between 10 and 12 inches of snow. So the current system could have dropped 60 and 70 inches of snow on Duluth.
Half of Duluth's Fond du Lac neighborhood is being evacuated though its not mandatory as the St. Louis River rises from above-normal dam discharges upstream. The dams are reported to not be in danger of failure, but Minnesota Power is releasing more water that may flood homes downstream. First United Methodist Church in Duluth the coppertop church is being used as an evacuation center.
Three Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles are en route to Duluth to prepare for mass feeding if necessary.
The Carlton County Sheriff's Office is recommending no travel in the county except in emergencies because of flooded roadways. The most-affected areas are across northern parts of the county; Highway 210 through Jay Cooke State Park is closed.
The Sheriff's Office is recommending that some residents of Thomson Township evacuate because of high water. Carlton High School has been opened up as an emergency shelter.
Internet and cell-phone service is out in Two Harbors and elsewhere in Lake County. Minnesota Highway 61 north of Duluth is detoured at Homestead Road into Two Harbors. The detour road is deteriorating, however, with continuing rain.
Lake Country Power said 300 of its members are without power, most of those in the Kettle River area.
The National Weather Service in Duluth reported just before 3 a.m. that the flooding situation in Duluth continues to deteriorate. A flash flood warning remains in effect until 4:30 p.m. today for the Twin Ports up the North Shore.
This appears to be a flood reminiscent of the flood of 1972, which devastated parts of the Duluth Hillside, the Weather Service reported. And with more storms lined up to the west, the situation may get worse yet this morning.
The days are very hot, but the evenings are gorgeous. We've been enjoying dinner outside every evening. Here's a picture I took just a little while ago from the backyard, as the sun set behind the mountains.
I've been spending time on the Disneyland Disboard, soaking up all the new info as it comes in! Looks like temps will be in the low to mid-70s with zero chance of rain. Sounds good!
