Northfield and the areas of Rice and Dakota Counties surrounding the Cannon River are under a flood warning.
The Northfield and Greater Rice County area has received approximately three inches of rain since Friday night causing the river level to rise rapidly. At 8:30 last night, the water lever stood at 896.19 feet. By 6:30 this morning the river had reached 897.46 inches, putting it over the minor flood stage. The major flood stage is 900 feet.
The river is expected to rise to a crest near 898 to 899 feet this evening. It will then fall below flood stage late Wednesday morning.
The Northfield Police Department is currently in conversation with City Crews and Emergency management. A spokesperson said they continue to monitor levels and will take further actions when warranted.
A statement issued by the National Weather Service warned motorists to use extreme caution when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths, the statement said, occur in vehicles.
For up-to-date information, including Weather Specialist Bob Matheson’s forecast, stay tuned to KYMN Radio 95.1 FM and 1080 AM, as well as kymnradio.net and our social media pages.
Dundas man, 30, killed in crash; driver, two young children transported to HCMC
According to a statement issued by the county, sheriff’s deputies and emergency service technicians responded to a single-vehicle crash call in the 3000 block of 30th Street W in Webster Township at just after 8:00 on Saturday night.
Thirty-year-old Nathan John Thomas, of Dundas was pronounced deceased at the scene. A 33-year-old female, who according to the statement was driving the vehicle, sustained critical injuries and was airlifted to Hennepin County Medical Center for treatment. Additionally, two male children, aged 21 months and 2 months, were extricated from the vehicle and also transported to Hennepin County Medical Center for urgent medical care.
The primary agency leading the investigation is the Rice County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, the Elko/New Market Police and Fire Departments, the Lonsdale Fire Department and Northfield Emergency Medical Services.
Rice County Sheriff Jesse Thomas expressed his gratitude and respect for the assisting public safety professionals
“The collaborative effort underscores the dedication of our local agencies to ensuring the safety and well-being of our community,” he said in the statement. “We are grateful for the swift response and assistance provided by all involved. Three lives were saved with the quick actions of all involved.”
The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing. County authorities urge anyone with information regarding the crash to contact the Rice County Sheriff’s Office. The statement said further updates will be provided by the sheriff’s office as the investigation progresses.
Transit-Hub groundbreaking will be celebratory event
The City of Northfield is inviting all members of the Northfield community to a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Northfield Regional Transit Hub, which will be built adjacent to the Historic Northfield Train Depot, at 4pm on Wednesday afternoon.
The plans call for the construction of an outdoor pavilion area just to the north of the depot, and a building to the north of the pavilion that will serve as a waiting room and feature public restroom facilities. The building will be fully accessible, served by stairs, a ramp and an elevator.
The City of Northfield held several meetings with community members during the design phase and the final design incorporates feedback from those meetings most notable around accessibility and functionality.
The immediate plan for the complex is to serve as an interchange for the Hiawathaland which serves as a bus service in Northfield and Faribault is expected to use the Transit Hub as their Northfield hub while serving their current routes. The hub will also be used by Northfield Lines.
City Administrator Ben Martig has said, looking into the future, however, the transit hub will serve as the main connection point with the Twin Cities, and possibly even fo commuter and passenger rail routes
Once set to be demolished, the Save the Depot organization, led by Alice Thomas, purchased the Historic Depot building and in 2016 moved it one block to its current location. The expansion of the location to a full-on transit hub has been something Mayor Pownell and other city leaders have discussed since the move, due to its perfectly situated ability to serve buses and larger vehicles.
Construction costs for the new transit hub are estimated at $2.9 million. In 2020 the City of Northfield asked for and received $1.75 million in state bonding money to put toward the project. Bids are expected to come in within the next few weeks.
A statement issued by the City of Northfield said the program will include remarks by representatives of Save the Northfield Depot, the city, and others close to the project.
Construction will officially begin next week and is expected to be completed in October.
KYMN Daily News 6/3/24
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
