Dayton says state is prepared for spring floods

What is Gov. Mark Dayton doing about impending floods in the metro area?

The governor held roundtables in South St. Paul and Stillwater on Wednesday to tell local civic leaders and disaster officials that the state has been planning a fast response to a potentially historic flood.

Governor ready to respond

"The snowfall this last weekend raises the possibility of a more serious situation in the metro," Dayton said after his Stillwater appearance at the Washington County Government Center, just blocks from the bluff overlooking the St. Croix River. The governor said he would be available "around the clock if it's really bad." He said in South St. Paul and again in Stillwater that he was taking personal responsibility to ensure that the state's response to possible severe flooding meets the needs of cities and counties.

The Twin Cities had received 74.9 inches of snow this season through Tuesday.

Dayton also plans flood meetings in Chaska, Mankato and Winona next week.

What are some major concerns?

In the Twin Cities area, major flooding is expected to close key commuter crossings and riverside roads from Stillwater through St. Paul to the southwest suburbs as the Minnesota, Mississippi and St. Croix rivers swell.

Stillwater Mayor Ken Harycki told the governor that he could use help from the National Guard to keep onlookers off sandbags that will separate the St. Croix from the city's downtown. Afton Mayor Pat Snyder said her city could use the governor's help in getting reimbursement for flood relief efforts. Mayor Chris Coleman of St. Paul expressed a similar concern at the South St. Paul meeting.

What can Dayton do?

The governor said at both meetings that he would include money in his bonding bill to help flood-damaged cities and their residents. "People's lives are priceless," he said.

Electrical generators have already been ordered for deployment statewide, Eide said. The state also is addressing the constant threat of ice jams.

The levee recently was given an "unacceptable" rating by the Army Corps of Engineers and could be topped by water in a bad flood. Dayton was joined by legislators and city and county leaders.

"This lineup shows a really strong determination to address this as effectively as we possibly can," Dayton said. "You can be sure of that."