Cambridge, Minn., recovering after floods

About 5 inches of rain fell in the city of nearly 10,000 people, swamping streets and downing trees and power lines.

August 19, 2022 at 12:58AM
Eye of the storm - Ominous clouds dropping heavy rain approached Minneapolis about 6pm as seen from the 10th Avenue Bridge over the Mississippi River looking north. Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022 Minneapolis, Minn. ] Brian Peterson • brian.peterson@startribune.com
Heavy rain fell Thursday in Minneapolis. Wet weather is likely to continue through Saturday in central Minnesota as multiple rounds of showers and storms are expected under a stalling low-pressure system, according to the National Weather Service. (Brian Peterson - Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Heavy rain Wednesday evening inundated downtown Cambridge, Minn., flooding roads, homes and businesses and downing trees and power lines.

By 11 p.m. Wednesday, most roads in the city of nearly 10,000 people north of the Twin Cities had reopened, but city officials still advised residents to use caution because of downed power lines and when encountering areas with standing water.

"If you have standing water in your basement, do not wade in it," City Administrator Evan Vogel said. "Take specific care not to touch anything that may be connected to electricity, such as a breaker."

Heavy rain on Wednesday inundated downtown Cambridge, Minn., downing trees. (David Joles, Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

No injuries were reported, but residents were asked to stay off the roads at the height of the storms that dropped about 5 inches of rain in a few hours. Videos and photos on social media showed vehicles submerged and streets under several inches of water.

"Highest water in the streets we've seen in 20 years; our son has had his sailboat out in less water than this," Carol Dybvig wrote on Facebook.

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The city expected toconduct a further damage assessment Thursday morning, Vogel said.

Wet weather is likely to continue through Saturday in Cambridge and central Minnesota as multiple rounds of showers and storms are expected under a stalling low-pressure system, according to the National Weather Service.

about the writer

about the writer

Tim Harlow

Reporter

Tim Harlow covers traffic and transportation issues in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, and likes to get out of the office, even during rush hour. He also covers the suburbs in northern Hennepin and all of Anoka counties, plus breaking news and weather.

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