(Undated)– A lot of attention obviously remains focused on lake levels in the Iowa Great Lakes after another 2 to 3 inches of rain fell in the immediate area overnight with much higher amounts just to our west. Portions of O’Brien and Osceola counties, as well as Rock county in southwest Minnesota, saw more than 5 inches. A number of roads in those areas, including a portion of Interstate 90 in Rock county, were said to be under water earlier this (Fri.) morning.
All of the water is also once again causing renewed concern on the Iowa Great Lakes, where levels rose steadily overnight and this (Fri.) morning. As of late this (Fri.) morning, Big Spirit Lake was at 15.66 feet. In comparison, the recent record high is 15.97 feet set on July 4th, 2018. The Okoboji’s as of late morning were at 6.44 feet, that compares with the recent record high of 6.65 on July 4th, 2018. Many docks are now submerged and crews are scrambling to try to meet customer requests to either raise them or have them removed altogether.
Meanwhile, another special meeting of the Dickinson County Emergency Management Commission will be held at noon today (Fri.) at the courthouse in Spirit Lake. Officials will once again reassess the situation and there will likely be further discussion regarding the emergency 5 mph rule that was put into place earlier this week.
Additional heavy rainfall is likely again tonight (Fri.) into early Saturday, with the possibility of severe storms as well which could worsen matters.
