MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Storms with heavy rain saturated the Twin Cities area, temporarily closing major highways, stranding motorists and forcing some to the south to leave their flooded homes.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation used snow plows to push off Interstate 94 in Maple Grove early Thursday. Drivers abandoned their vehicles, which sat in flood water at some intersections.

An undetermined number of people left their flooded homes in Waseca, about 75 miles south of the Twin Cities.

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office urged residents Wednesday night to avoid unnecessary travel as water rose on area roads.

The storm system was bringing heavy rain from Iowa, across southern Minnesota and into much of Wisconsin.

 

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