Wabasso streets were flooded July 3.

BROWN COUNTY — Flash-flood warnings and an evacuation were reported in the area July 3 and 4, after historic rainfall filled road ditches and spilled onto highways and roads.

Around 1:30 p.m. on July 4, Brown County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Fairbairn received a call from the National Weather Service (NWS), Chanhassen, in regards to a rapid rise in the water level of the Cottonwood River west of the County Road 2 bridge, Springfield.

The NWS reported a level of 32.6; approaching the record level set on Sept. 24, 2010, 32.9.

The NWS estimated the Cottonwood River to crest mid-day on July 5 around a level of 34.7 in Springfield.

Fairbairn contacted Brown County Emergency Manager Lane Sletta and Springfield Emergency Manger Scott Johnson, and it was decided to evacuate residents from River Bluff Apartments, 200 Riverside Dr.

At press time, there were no plans to sandbag.

Residents displaced from their apartments were either placed in housing by the American Red Cross or with relatives.

There were no injuries, and the estimated amount of damage was unknown.

Assisting the Brown County Sheriff’s Officers on the scene were the Springfield Police and Fire Departments.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation closed the bridge on Highway 71 over the Cottonwood River near Sanborn on July 4 due to flooding.

Motorists were detoured using County Road 11, County Road 21, County Road 2 and Highway 14.

The bridge was to remain closed until the water level recedes and crews can inspect the bridge structure.

Flooding is difficult to predict and roads may be closed or restricted without warning, said MnDOT. Log jams can further complicate flood forecasts. MnDOT is closely monitoring rivers throughout the area.

Motorists should check road conditions at www.511mn.org.

A flash flood warning continued in Redwood County on July 3.

The NWS reported up to a foot of rain fell in the heart of Redwood County. A flash flood warning remained in effect until 4:45 p.m. July 3 for Redwood, western Brown and south central Renville counties.

At 9:30 a.m. July 3, local law enforcement and the public reported flooding of businesses and residences plus multiple roads closed in Wabasso.

A flash-flood warning means flooding is imminent or occurring. People in warned areas should immediately move to higher ground. Residents living along streams and creeks should move to higher ground to protect life and property.

At 2:17 p.m. July 3, flash flooding continued across Redwood and Renville counties. Afternoon thunderstorms dumped an additional 1-3 inches of rain over south central Renville and northeastern Redwood counties.

Radar estimated isolated areas of 8-10 inches of total rainfall from morning and afternoon thunderstorms. Numerous roads and highways were closed across Redwood County including U.S. 14, west of Walnut Grove.

The NWS issued a flood warning for the Minnesota River at

• Henderson with State Highway 19, affecting Sibley, Scott and Le Sueur counties.

• Near Jordan affecting Carver and Scott counties.

• Savage affecting Dakota, Hennepin and Scott counties.

The Redwood and Cottonwood River basins observed three to eight inches of precipitation over the past 24 hours. Heavy rain could cause river levels to rise even higher than predicted.

The Cottonwood River at New Ulm was observed at 9.92 feet at 2 p.m. July 3. Flood stage is 11 feet. The river was forecast to reach 16.5 feet (major flood stage) on the evening of July 6 and remain above moderate flood stage over the weekend.

Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles, according to the NWS.

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.