Moose Lake Declares State Of Emergency and the Latest Flood Update

Moose Lake declares state of emergency

The city of Moose Lake has declared a state of emergency following the closing of a bridge on Highway 73. A fishing pier has broken loose on Moosehead Lake and authorities were concerned it could impact the bridge. MnDot bridge inspectors plan to inspect the bridge this morning and determine when it can be safely re-opened.

Governor Mark Dayton and Commissioners of Public Safety Mona Dohman and Transportation Tom Sorrell have been touring Duluth this morning and determining what state assets are needed to assist in the recovery.

MN Governor’s Office:

Wednesday the Governor issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency following storm damage in eight counties: Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Dakota, Goodhue, Lake, Rice and St. Louis. The state of emergency allows for emergency vehicles to transport supplies and materials to the affected areas and the activation of the Minnesota National Guard as needed.

HSEM

• Kris Eide, the Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, has directed experts on her staff to partner with local experts in Duluth to begin assessing the situation.

Eide explains this initial assessment is the first step to determining if the state will request federal resources.

• The State Emergency Operations Center remains activated and is coordinating emergency assets to local jurisdictions. The Joint Information Center continues to provide summaries of updated public information.

Evacuations

• As of 6 p.m. Wednesday night the Fond du Lac neighborhood of Duluth had evacuated 80 homes, 250 residents and two campgrounds.

• Thomson evacuated 40 residents.

Evacuation Sites

The Red Cross reports 185 residents took shelter last night in the following centers

• Copper Top Church, Duluth

• Fond du Lac Ojibwe School

• Scanlon Community Center

• Laura Macarthur Elementary

The Salvation Army is providing meals.

Emergency Declarations

• State of Minnesota

• Carlton County

• Lake County

• Duluth

• Moose Lake

• Wrenshall

DNR

The DNR reports there are two groups of campers stranded at Savanna Portage State Park. The seven campers are in contact with park staff and have food and supplies.

The DNR has closed the following state parks at least through the weekend

• Jay Cooke

• Savanna Portage

• Campground at Moose Lake.

Other temporary closures include:

• The Willard Munger State Trail from Carlton to Duluth is closed until further notice due to washouts.

• Cuyuna County State Recreation Area where the mountain bike trails and Miner’s Mountain Road are closed

• Hill Annex Mine State Park where tours are cancelled for today and questionable for the weekend.

For updates on the status of these and other parks and trails visit www.mndnr.gov or call the DNR information Center at 651-296-6157.

MnDot

Current road closures include:

• I- 35 between Carlton and Mahtowa