After weeks of constant snowfall and more precipitation on the way this weekend, the National Weather Service has issued the north shore a high risk for flooding and that has city officials in Grand Marais concerned.

Signs of spring are showing across the Northland, but some towns like Grand Marais still have several inches of snow. All that snow has increased the threat of major flooding in the small city on the lake, something one building can’t take much more of. 

Amanda St. John, who is the director of the Grand Marais Public Library, said on April 13, the building flooded for the second time due to runoff water from the melting snow on the hill.

St. John said the flooding was so bad that she filled a 20-gallon bucket within 10 minutes. She said, “My heart sank!”

To help mitigate future water damage, St. John set up pools to collect water and pump it out of the building. She has seen firsthand how much damage can be caused by water overflow. 

St John said “The books are fine so far and also our technology, but it’s the building that really took the water and the carpeting for sure. We are going to take a second look at it.”

According to the National Weather Service, this winter was one of the top ten snowiest seasons in the Arrowhead region. More precipitation is on the way this weekend with some heavy downpours possible, raising some red flags. Grand Marais Mayor Jay DeCoux says flooding has been an ongoing issue, but thanks to the Highway 61 project, the city was able to reroute the runoff storm water away from neighborhoods. 

Mayor DeCoux said, “...and in doing so, we’re hoping to divert a good chunk of the water that has been coming downtown to other emptying places into the lake on both the east side and west side of downtown.”

In terms of the flood threat this weekend, Mayor DeCoux is sending a message to those most at risk of flooding. He said, “Check, check, double-check and make sure that your sump pump is working.”

According to Mayor DeCoux, this will be the first time the new storm water route will be used. It’s estimated about 10 to 14 inches of liquid water are stored within the current snow depth across the Arrowhead region.

To see the original post and read related stories, follow this link to the KBJR-TV website. https://www.kbjr6.com/2022/04/22/major-flooding-possible-grand-marais-after-weeks-back-to-back-syste...