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Flash Flooding Over Weekend Devastates New Richland, Minnesota

The deluge forced mass evacuations and left most homes damaged while officials begin multimonth recovery and debate long-term flood fixes.

Overview

  • The town saw a sudden, high-volume rain event over the weekend that dropped about nine inches of rain and sent creek and stormwater into neighborhoods.
  • Authorities said roughly 80% of New Richland’s homes were impacted as basements filled, vehicles were submerged, and water covered large portions of the town.
  • Dozens of residents were rescued and evacuated by first responders and neighbors, including the city-run New Richland Care Center where staff moved 36 seniors to other facilities.
  • Officials report no injuries; the care center suffered about 2.5 feet of interior flooding and estimates repairs could take more than six months.
  • Residents and local leaders who note past floods in 2010 and 2016 are urging creek rerouting, holding basins, and other drainage projects as cleanup and damage assessments continue.