Risk Rises For Major Flooding In Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota officials say recent warm weather and melting snow hasn't reduced the threat of spring flooding.

National Weather Service meteorologist Dan Luna says more precipitation is in the long-range forecast. Officials say they're even more certain of the high risk they warned of in their last forecast three weeks ago.

State emergency management director Kris Eide said in a briefing Thursday that the flood threat is widespread and two-thirds of Minnesotans may be affected to at least a small degree.

An Associated Press analysis earlier Thursday of updated charts posted on the weather service website found the risk of major flooding has risen at several points on the Minnesota, Mississippi and St. Croix rivers compared with the first forecast of the season three weeks ago.

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