NEW RICHLAND — The heaviest rain Friday fell well southeast of Mankato, but the daylong deluge brought misery to southern Waseca County, which was hit with more than 6 inches.
Flooding was widespread in New Richland, flooding homes and forcing the evacuation of the local nursing home, according to multiple reports.
In an interview posted online, New Richland City Administrator Tyler Lendt said 36 residents were evacuated from the New Richland Care Center and others were rescued from the local mobile home park. Videos showed a pontoon boat approaching the nursing home — which has been evacuated in the past, including in 2010 and 2016, due to flooding of the adjacent Boot Creek — to take residents to safety.
“Our hearts go out to our neighbors at New Richland Care Center who were affected by the recent flooding at their facility,” Prairie Manor in Blooming Prairie posted on their Facebook page. “We are are incredibly grateful to have been in the position to open our doors and welcome six of these displaced residents into our care center, which will be their home for an undetermined amount of time. … It has been a long day for them, but we are doing everything we can to make them feel safe, comfortable and loved.”
The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for New Richland at 10:17 a.m., lasting until 3:15 p.m.
“Flooding impacts will continue, but no additional rainfall is expected,” the warning stated.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation put a detour in place west of New Richland at 7 a.m. Saturday and warned drivers of additional flooding in the town in Waseca County’s southeast corner.
Highway 30 was closed in both directions six miles west of New Richland, with travelers directed on a nine-mile detour via 70th and 80th streets. The detour was lifted by early afternoon, but by then MnDOT was warning of water flowing over Highway 83 south of Waldorf.
Specific detours were not posted for the flooding closer to New Richland, but the city Facebook page implored drivers to not try to plow through standing water.
“Flooded roads can be dangerous, even when the water doesn’t look that deep. Your vehicle isn’t worth the risk, and neither is putting yourself, your passengers, or emergency responders in danger,” the Facebook post stated. “Please respect road closures, barricades, and warnings and our staff and volunteers!! They’re there for a reason.”
MnDOT advised drivers at 7:11 a.m. to watch for flooding on Highway 30 between Cedar and Broadway avenues in New Richland and on Highway 13 in the vicinity of Highway 30. The Waseca County Sheriff’s Office reported that segments of more than a dozen local roads were closed by floodwaters.
City officials were offering sandbags to any residents who needed them and encouraging property owners to document any damage caused by flooding.
An alum of New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale High School posted a comment wondering if there was any assistance needed.
“Not our first rodeo with a flood and evacuating buildings/wading through the high rising water in town,” the Albert Lea resident posted. “Happens almost every year, makes my heart hurt for the residents that have continued to stay in NR because they love the community.”
Saturday afternoon, city officials posted that anyone interested in volunteering could email their contact information to info@newrichlandmn.gov. The plan was to assess later whether and when volunteer assistance might be helpful.
After a cloudy Saturday, sunshine was expected to return there and throughout south-central Minnesota by Sunday afternoon with dry weather dominating the rest of the seven-day forecast.