6/20/2024

Precipitation forecast for Nine Mile Creek watershed

The watershed district works with the National Weather Service to get precipitation forecasts specific to our watershed.  The forecasts are made over a 7-day period and are updated every 6-hours. The precipitation totals through Sunday, June 23, 2024, are expected to be between 3-4 inches. Hennepin County has indicated there is increased risk for flash flooding in the county with these rainfall amounts.

Access the Nine Mile Creek watershed precipitation forecast here: weather.gov/mpx/nmc

Lake Levels

The watershed district collects monthly lake and groundwater level observations at numerous locations. The information can be viewed at the webmap link below (click on the waterbody or GW well of interest for a link to access the water level information). We are planning to conduct the June lake and groundwater measurements on Monday and Tuesday next week (6/24 & 6/25).

NMCWD Lake & Groundwater data information sharing web tool: https://maps.barr.com/NMCWD/NMCWD_InformationSharingApp/index.html

Where can I get sand bags?

To see if your city provides sandbags, contact:

• Bloomington Public Works, 952.563.8760
• Eden Prairie Public Works, 952.949.8330
• Edina Public Works, 952.826.0375; outside of normal business hours call the non-emergency Police line at 952-826-1600 to get routed to the on-call staff person.
• Hopkins Public Works, 952.939.1382
• Minnetonka Public Works, 952.988.8400
• Richfield Public Works, 612.861.9170

What else is the watershed district doing?

The Nine Mile Creek Watershed District will continue to:

• provide technical resources to our cities and local partners to help them prepare for potential flooding events and implementing emergency response plans.
• monitor water level elevations throughout our watershed.
• research and invest in resilient solutions to flooding problems, in collaboration with our local and regional partners.

What can I do to protect my property and myself?

Flood insurance can be a good way to protect your property. Flood damage is typically not included in homeowner and renter insurance policies. There is a 30-day waiting period before most flood insurance policies come into effect. To purchase flood insurance, homeowners, renters, and business owners in your community should speak to their insurance agent or call the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Call Center at 1-800-427-4661. The NFIP website provides additional information on the types of flood insurance available, what is covered, and what isn’t covered. It’s important to note that when determining coverage, the cause of flooding matters.

Flood insurance covers losses directly caused by flooding. Flood losses are defined as, “an excess of water on land that is normally dry, affecting two or more acres of land or two or more properties”. Damage from groundwater seepage is not typically covered by flood insurance. Talk with your insurance providers to make sure you understand what the policy protects.

In the home, be prepared to deal with spring by being sure you have a functioning sump pump. If you are in an area that may be cut off by flood waters, make sure to have enough food and water in your home to last at least 3 days. Be sure to know your alternate routes if flooding closes roads.

For other useful tips, visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Smart webpage at https://www.floodsmart.gov/  and/or the NWS webpage Flood Safety Tips and Resources.

Flood Safety

Do not swim in flooded waters.

Do not enter moving water or flooded areas – 6 inches is enough to knock a person over or make you lose control of your vehicle. 12 inches is enough to sweep a vehicle away.

Remember “turn around, don’t drown!”