Dayton to Winona for Flood Talk Readiness

Flood readiness season has begun. Govenor Dayton is set to visit with Department of Public Safety and the state office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for a 1 p.m. meeting at the American Legion, 302 E. Sarnia St. in Winona.

The Mississippi River to rise within 3 feet of levee's capacity in Winona.

There is a 87 percent chance of flooding exceeding 18 inches, and a 30 percent chance that the flood could reach 21 feet - surpassing the 20.77-foot record set in 1965, according to the National Weather Service in La Crosse, Wis.

Mn/DOT plans flooding detour for southwest metro " Mn/DOT is working on a flood detour plan which includes restriping 169 to add an extra lane northbound and another southbound. Kevin Walker, Mn/DOT spokesperson said, "I think the risk for flooding is 80% so I think they're planning on going ahead with this, restriping it, adding the additional lane in each direction." The additional lanes would run from approximately County Road 18 in Shakopee to Pioneer Trail in Bloomington. That could create a bottle neck at Pioneer Trail as lanes go from three to two heading north to 494. But Mn/DOT engineers may also modify the timing of traffic lights near 494 to let more traffic through. Walker said during a normal rush hour, 169 already has an average of 4,500 cars per hour.  The detour plan would allow it to accommodate an additional 2,000 vehicles per hour.  If Highway 101 is closed, that could divert an additional 1,600 cars per hour alone."