MINNESOTA TRAGEDY REINFORCES FLOOD SAFETY MESSAGE

July 10, 2000 — Torrential rains in central Minnesota over the weekend led to a tragedy that cost a young man his life and reinforces NOAA's warning about the dangers of flood waters.

The community of Eagan, Minnesota, was drenched with eight inches of rain that fell in a three-hour period late Friday, July 7 into the early morning of July 8. The town's storm drainage system was rapidly overcome by the massive amounts of rain, and residents soon found water seemingly standing motionless in many parts of town.

As NOAA's National Weather Service repeatedly advises, however, those flood waters weren't as tranquil as they appeared. Flood water may appear to form lakes in low-lying areas, but the public needs to remember that flood water moves—it is not stationary and will eventually flow to lower ground.

Deciding that a water-filled ditch near their Eagan homes to be an ideal spot to cool off in the early morning heat, a group of young adults began wading and floating on inner tubes. At around 2 a.m., a 20-year-old Lakeville, Minnesota, resident in the group was sucked into a drainage culvert. In the darkness, the waders were unaware of the culvert, hidden by the muddy, high water.

Unable to escape the culvert, the young man drowned. His body was later recovered by rescue workers.

To avoid similar tragedies in other locations, NOAA's National Weather Service continues to warn people to stay out of flood waters. Whether a person is afoot or in a vehicle, flood waters hide many dangers. The consequences for ignoring these dangers can often be deadly.

For your own safety stay away from flood waters. The life you save could be your own.

Relevant Web Sites
Low Water Crossing

Flash Floods

Current Hydrologic Conditions

Is Your Community StormReady?

Flash Floods and Floods...the Awesome Power!

NOAA's River Forecast Centers

Links to Other Flood Sites

USA National Weather Service Forecast Offices

Media Contact:
Pat Slattery, NOAA's National Weather Service Central Region, (816) 426-7621 ext. 621.

 

 

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