A number of streets were washed out Friday night as thunderstorms drenched New Ulm with 2.13 inches of rain.

Damage throughout the area was scattered and apparently, in most cases, minor. Rain drenched most of The Journal area both Friday and Saturday.

IN NEW ULM, a city street official reported that a number of streets were washed out because of the storm.

One street, 16th S. between German and Valley, has been closed. Street workers worked on parts of the street Saturday, but the major repair project will not begin until Monday.

Until the repair work is done, that portion of 16th S. will be closed to traffic.

There were parts of streets washed out all over town, according to the official. One area is 12th S. between Minnesota and Valley, where the condition of the road is described as “pretty rough”‘ but passable.

New Ulm police reported no other damage due to the storm.

ON THE Elmer Orth farm south of Winthrop, more than 25 trees were uprooted by the strong winds, but no damage was done to buildings on the property other than to the antennae and phone lines which were downed by the weather.

In St. Peter, police reported that the top floor of a home owned by Odrun Peterson was burned. Lightning is believed to be the cause of the fire, which struck shortly after 10 p.m. Friday, although investigation of the fire is as yet preliminary.

Other area police departments listed little weather damage. The McLeod County Sheriff’s Department said that there were reports of trees being uprooted in that area.

THE STORM brought New Ulm’s rain count to 5.75 inches for June. More thunderstorms were expected last night and forecasters predict an 80 per cent chance of precipitation for today.

The rain which hit this area was part of a weather pattern which saw thunderstorms and tornadoes pass throughout the Upper

Midwest, passing through Minnesota, Nebraska, the Dakotas, Illinois, Montana and Kansas.

In the Twin Cities, one inch of rain was reported. Three to 4 inches also fell near Sabin, where officials said the Red River was near flood stage.

Forty-two children at a church gathering at Augusta, Mont., were airlifted to higher ground because of rising waters on the eastern slopes of the northern Rockies. Forty-five people nearby ranch also had to be airlifted.

New Ulm Daily Journal

June 22, 1975