Contacts
- Dana Hanson
218-846-3609
Location
Minnesota Department of
Transportation
1000 Hwy 10 West
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
218-846-3600
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FLOODING UPDATE
Highway 75 near Kent closed due to flooding
DETROIT LAKES, Minn. — (7:30 a.m.) The Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Minnesota State Patrol closed Highway 75 near Kent overnight due to flooding.
Traffic is detoured to Wilkin County Road 3 and Wilkin County Road 26.
Highway 75 near Kent will remain closed until further notice.
Motorists should plan accordingly. When a road is closed it is illegal to travel in that area. Motorists can be fined up to $1,000 and/or 90 days in jail. In addition, if travelers need to be rescued from a closed road, other expenses and penalties will apply.
Open – use caution
The following state Highway in west central Minnesota is currently open but conditions can change rapidly. Motorists should use extreme caution approaching the following areas:
- Hwy 12 approximately 2 miles east of Ortonville - Open to traffic, watch for water on the roadway.
Every flood is dangerous to motorists. If you must travel in the west central Minnesota area, follow these safe driving practices (source: Federal Emergency Management Agency http://www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/fl_during.shtm):
- Expect the unexpected – flash floods can occur anytime, anywhere.
- Flooding can knock out bridges, undercut Hwys and clog roads with mudslides and debris.
- MnDOT will identify which roads are closed and warn motorists of potential pavement break up or soft shoulders that could give way.
- Drivers are warned not to drive around barricades and to check the state's traveler information Web site www.511mn.org or call 5-1-1 for road conditions, closures and alternate routes.
- Do not drive into flooded areas.
- If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely.
- Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling.
A foot of water will float many vehicles. - Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles and pick-ups.
For updated information, call 511 or click on www.511mn.org when traveling in any area of the state where potential flooding conditions exist. For weather and flood warnings, go to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Web site http://www.noaawatch.gov/floods.php or listen to NOAA weather radio or local radio stations.