Mississippi River reaches major flood stage in Hastings

HASTINGS, Minn. — A part of the Mississippi River reached main flood stage Thursday for the primary time this spring.

It occurred in Hastings the place a number of folks stopped by the Riverwalk to see it.

“It has been this excessive many instances, nevertheless it’s at all times thrilling to see it when it does,” stated Dick Spicer, a longtime resident.

Main flood stage is the extent the place consultants say the water begins to influence folks’s day-to-day lives.

Some Hastings houses have water of their sheds and garages. Drivers are coping with highway closures round city.

“I acquired to go like 10 minutes out of the way in which as a result of that is closed,” stated Nate Myers. “I dwell simply up the highway. Getting up earlier and getting residence later.”

Craig Schmidt, a Nationwide Climate Service hydrologist, says this week’s rain boosted their water stage prediction by half a foot.

“We have nonetheless acquired 4, 5 days of rising till we get to the crest,” Schmidt stated. “Then we’ll keep at that stage in all probability for a very good week earlier than it lastly begins to go down.”

That is the third time since 2014 the Mississippi has reached main flood stage.