flooding

Numerous cities across Stearns County are experiencing flooding after today's storms.

The Mississippi River at St. Paul keeps rising toward a crest predicted for Wednesday, but the crests came early to some other Minnesota river towns. The Minnesota River at New Ulm had been predicted to remain at its peak into Tuesday, but was already dropping Monday from its Sunday crest.

The spring thaw is coming up fast, and the city of St. Cloud, as well as the Better Business Bureau, have some information and advice on keeping your home protected from potential flooding.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is encouraging Minnesota residents and businesses to buy flood insurance before it's too late. Minnesota faces the threat of flooding statewide this year. FEMA points out there's a 30-day waiting period before a policy takes effect.

The National Weather Service has bumped up the odds for major flooding along the Red River in eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota.

The head of the National Weather Service in Minneapolis says he expects the outlook for spring flooding to stay high when the latest forecast comes out.

Above-average autumn rainfall and a very snowy winter has prompted Sherburne County to prepare for spring flooding. Sherburne County Sheriff Joel Brott says the warm, snow-melting weather we've had in the last few days should remind people to prepare for flood water.

Communities along the Mississippi, Minnesota and St. Croix rivers are facing the threat of significant flooding this spring. The National Weather Service in the Twin Cities issued its spring flood outlook Thursday.

The National Weather Service says the likelihood of significant Red River flooding has risen in North Dakota and Minnesota.