Flood — Houston, Minnesota

2023-05-01 to 2023-05-05 · near La Crescent, Houston, Minnesota

Event narrative

The combination of heavy rainfall and rapidly melting snow resulted in the fourth highest crest on record in La Crescent towards the end of April. Subsequent dry conditions allowed the Mississippi River to slowly recede and drop below minor flood stage in La Crescent on May 5th.

Wider weather episode

The combination of heavy rain and anomalously warm temperatures melting a deeper than average snowpack during April resulted in moderate to major flooding at sites along the Upper Mississippi River in Minnesota. Initial minor flood stage was reached in mid April with near record crests towards the end of April. Drier conditions during the latter half of April and well below normal rainfall through May allowed the Upper Mississippi River to steadily recede, dropping below minor flood stage at sites in Minnesota during the beginning of May.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (43.8457, -91.2963)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1100289. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.