Flood — Roseau, Minnesota

2002-06-10 to 2002-06-25 · Roseau, Minnesota

Wider weather episode

Heavy rainfall on the 9th and 10th produced a record flood on the Roseau River at Roseau. The NDAWN mesonet site near Roseau measured 4.32 inches of rain, but unofficial reports of 15 to 18 inches of rain were received. The official cooperative observer in Roseau reported 9.25 inches of rain for June and the official Warroad cooperative observer reported 13.79 inches. This caused the Roseau River to rise nearly 17 feet and reach a new record stage of 23.3 feet on the 12th. The city of Roseau struggled to protect against the rising river, but the levels got too high for the city dikes. The dikes broke, sending water throughout the city of 2500. The city retreated to try to save the local Polaris plant, hospital, and high school. Most people were evacuated to the town of Badger, 15 miles west of Roseau. It was estimated that 90 percent of the total cropland in the county was flooded. In the city of Roseau, businesses reported $20 million in damages with the total city estimate being nearly $120 million. The county estimated roughly $11 million in damage to roads and bridges. Roseau county received a Presidential disaster declaration.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5301414. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.