Drenched!
Weekend rains create havoc
By CHERYL ODDEN
Rain showers this past weekend dampened the spirits of those who would have preferred the great outdoors to be sunny and dry.
Although rain was recorded in Garrison over a four-day period (Wednesday-Saturday) it totalled only 3.13 inches. Residents of Underwood weren’t as fortunate with rain accumulation estimated at 5.5 inches. The deluge of water prompted the city to declare a water state of emergency Monday morning. Issues in Underwood included flooded basements and a wash-out of Midsummer Classic events, including a car show and parade.
Another local event that was impacted by the abundance of rain was Frontier Military Days at Fort Stevenson State Park. Heavy rain Saturday impacted attendance and prevented some of the re-enactment activities from taking place.
The inundation of water impacted two well-traveled roadways. By Saturday evening, water overflowed ditches on a short stretch of N.D. Highway 200 east of Riverdale. Due to the overflow, traffic flow was reduced to a single lane in that area.
The greatest impact to traffic was seen on U.S. Highway 83, about a mile north of Coleharbor. Jim Redding , district engineer for North Dakota Department of Transportation, Minot District, said he was informed that the highway was underwater at approximately 11 p.m. Saturday evening. He reported the northbound lane was the first to become submerged. By Sunday morning, all four lanes were under water and traffic speed in the southbound lane was reduced to 5 mph.
