Twin Cities Streets Flooding Fast, More Storms Could Make It Worse Tonight

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — A slow-moving storm system is soaking the Twin Cities metro with multiple rounds of heavy rain, prompting both a Flood Watch and a Flood Warning from the National Weather Service.

What’s Happening Now:

As of 3 p.m. Wednesday, a Flood Warning is in effect for Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, Dakota, Washington, Carver, and Scott counties until 7 p.m. Heavy rain is moving through just in time for the evening commute.

Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have already fallen, with another 1 to 3 inches expected over the next few hours. Storms are expected to cause urban flooding, with water ponding on roads and low-lying areas.

Cities at risk include Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Maple Grove, Eagan, Woodbury, Burnsville, and more.

Tonight:

Storms will gradually weaken this evening, but rain will likely continue into the overnight hours. The Flood Watch remains in effect through Thursday morning, covering a broader area of Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

Thursday:

More showers and storms are expected during the day Thursday, especially in the morning and early afternoon. If storms repeatedly hit the same areas already saturated by Wednesday’s rain, flooding could worsen.

Total Rainfall:

• Widespread amounts of 2 to 3 inches are expected across the region
• Some locations could see 4 to 5 inches, especially where storms linger
• Flash flooding is possible in areas with poor drainage

Reminder:

The National Weather Service urges drivers to use caution: "Turn around, don’t drown." Most flood deaths happen in vehicles.

Here's the full NWS forecast from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport:

This Afternoon: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 72. East wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 7pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 7pm and 9pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 9pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Cloudy, with a low around 61. East northeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms before 2pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 2pm and 4pm, then a chance of showers after 4pm. High near 68. Northeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly between 7pm and 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 77. North wind around 5 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Southeast wind around 5 mph.

Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then a slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 82. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 81. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.