WATERVILLE, Minn. — Parts of Minnesota are experiencing this major floods due to the abundant rain pouring into the state. Waterville is a place that lives up to its name.
The Cannon River flows through two large lakes that surround the city, about an hour south of the Twin Cities. Of more rain in the weather forecastresidents are bracing themselves for the next flood before it gets better.
Maria and Bob Stoering have lived in their Waterville home near the lake since 1987. But now their house becomes one with the lake, as the water creeps into their garden.
“The garden will be a mess,” said Maria Stoering.
The couple just bought a new pump, which is working overtime.
“It’s scary because if the electricity goes out, like last night, the… pump won’t run and our basement would be flooded,” she said.
Gail Hildebrant lives around the corner.
“I’m kayaking because I can’t get in and out of my property. I’m completely on a private island and I have a mote around my castle,” Hildebrant said.
She has seen tadpoles and carp swimming in her garden. Her house is still dry. It was raised 4 feet after a major flood in 2014.
“What they said is that the level of my house should serve me for the next hundred-year flood, while the hundred-year floods happen every five years (laughs)!” she said.
Volunteers fill sandbags in the city during two sessions on Friday: from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Volunteers must be 18 years or older and are asked to dress for the weather and wear closed-toe shoes.
