By Sheila Crowley
Review Staff Writer
What should have been a time for family, friends and celebrating the fourth of July, turned into a time to come together and help save properties from rising waters.
For the past week Murray County has been in the headlines leading many television stations as well as newspapers and radio as a result of heavy rains received on Tuesday, July 3rd.
When Governor Mark Dayton visited this area this past Friday morning he termed the flooding as a ‘catastrophe’. Unfortunately until the water recedes, the total amount of the damages won’t be known.
Murray County declared a state of emergency on June 21st following the four to eight inches of rain received earlier that week. The rains impacted various public infrastructures throughout the county.
Another round of torrential rains were received July 2nd into July 3rd…this time dumping nearly 8 to 10 inches on the already saturated area. Reports of rainfall over the past two weeks reached between 15 to 18 inches. The Murray County Sheriff’s office reported their entire department was out along with the Murray County Highway department assessing roads. Numerous locations were closed due to water over the roads and no travel was recommended in Murray County.
Highway 59 from Slayton to the Lyon County border was covered and shut down and Hwy. 14 from Walnut Grove to Tracy was under water as well.
The heavy rains triggered the need for sandbagging for homes and businesses located around the lakes area. According to Christy Riley, Murray County Community Relations Coordinator, the lakes region got hammered and was probably the heaviest hit with many homeowners reporting water in their basements. Residents were warned not to enter flooded basements due to possible electrocution. Murray County Sheriff’s Office personnel were sent to Lake Shetek and Lake Sarah to help evacuate if necessary.
People in the area have never seen water to this level. Countless basements, docks, fields and other properties have been flooded. The flooding has also caused the Murray County Sheriff’s department to issue a ‘No Wake’ zone on the local lakes as the waves have the potential to leak further onto properties and cause further damage.
Residents in Slayton were still recovering from the first round of water with many reporting water in their basements. Marshall brought in pumps for the manholes to relieve some of the backup issues. Many residents, according to reports, had 4-6 feet of water, or sewer water, in their basements. Walls, carpet, furniture, just to name a few items, were affected along with water heaters, furnaces, and other appliances such as freezers and refrigerators.
The Slayton Golf Course took a beating. With Beaver Creek weaving through the course, it’s a mess. The course had water issues earlier in the spring, then the first round of rains, and the last round just complicated matters with at least half of the course underwater.
All the water forced Currie to cancel their annual Fourth of July activities due to flooding roads leading to Currie. Fortunately the weather cooperated and the community of Currie rallied and held their events last Saturday, July 7th with the exception of their annual street dance.
In addition to homes, farm fields are swamped, which means an entire season of crops could be lost for some farmers. Minnesota farmers affected by the recent flooding can take advantage of a zero-percent Disaster Loan Program offered by the Minnesota Rural Finance Authority (RFA). The program helps farmers cover flood clean-up, repair, and replacement costs not covered by insurance. The loans can be used to help clean up farm operations, repair or replace farm structures, and replace seed, other crop inputs, feed, and livestock. The loan may also be used to repair and restore farm real estate that was damaged by flooding. As with other RFA loans, the Disaster Loan program will be available for farmers through their existing agricultural lenders for financing for these repairs. The RFA participation is limited to 45 percent of the principal amount up to a maximum of $200,000.
While lakes and rivers remain swollen, conditions are improving. “We’re optimistic, because the sun is shining and it doesn’t look like we should be getting more rain for at least a week,” said Slayton Mayor Miron Carney.
Currie Mayor, Jeb Malone, said approximately 22 homes had sewage back up into their basements after the city’s lift system was overwhelmed.
Lake Sarah Township supervisor Vern Carlson discussed the need for repair on nearly every township road. Many were damaged by the surging water which caused washouts – some so big you could almost set a semi-tractor down in it. He estimates the damages reaching over $120,000 and with an annual township budget of just under $100,000 questioned Governor Dayton how the township was supposed to deal with the repairs involved. This is the case with nearly every township in Murray County.
Many officials feel the area is well into recovery mode now and are asking residents affected by the flooding to report preliminary estimates to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is expected to return to the region within two weeks.
Murray County has set up a flood information center and is requesting residents and businesses from throughout the county to call in with information regarding their flood damage. The information is needed to help provide estimates for FEMA disaster declaration.
The phone number for the center is 507-836-1177 and will be staffed from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, including weekend, until further notice.
The information being gathered through this hotline is critical for the county to obtain and document specific details and the severity of damage from throughout the county, especially now that it has been declared a state of emergency for Minnesota.
Some of the specific questions that will be asked are how much water depth you have in your residence, if you have flood or homeowner’s insurance and what areas of your home or property were affected. Staffers will also be asking what kind of structure you have that is damaged.
As a reminder, permits must be obtained or substantial damage determinations must be made before repairs or reconstruction can begin. Staffers will also be able to assist with flooded debris and what to do with it.
Information regarding the flood can also be found on the County’s website https://murraycountymn.com/flood/
