It’s going to go down as one of the wettest Aprils on record, and it’s starting to furrow some brows around Wright County.
Communities aren’t reporting widespread water problems, yet, after 5 inches of rain has fallen over the past week, with nearly half of that falling over the weekend and into Monday. However, as ditches, wetlands and retention ponds fill to capacity around St. Michael, Albertville and Monticello, both city staff and local residents are watching the forecast.
“We’re not seeing anything widespread, yet,” said Albertville City Administrator Adam Nafstad. “But the forecast is concerning, especially given the [amount of rainfall] we have already received.”
St. Michael City Administrator Steven Bot agreed, saying another week of rain would be detrimental to systems around the area.
Homeowners have had to keep a watchful eye on basements. Some in lower areas are reporting seepage from groundwater coming up through basement floors. Most everyone NWCToday talked with said sump pumps were running “non-stop.”
“Many homes are extremely dependent on operational sump pump systems in our area,” Nafstad said. “Not only does the sump pump need to be working, but the point of discharge needs convey water away from the home.” Residents should make sure they aren’t adding to the problem by pumping water right back into low areas around the house.
Also, sumps can’t be drained directly into storm sewers or sanitary sewer drains inside the home, according to city codes.
Things look to be a bit better once we hit the weekend. The forecast, now, calls for about 20 percent chance of showers each day, with partly sunny skies and high temperatures in the mid-50s.