County declares local state of emergency tied to mid-June flooding in western Freeborn County
Emergency Management Director Adam Hamberg said western Freeborn County received 6 to 7 1/2 inches of rain June 16, leading to a flood warning for that area and multiple roads that were barricaded, including Minnesota Highway 109 and other county and township roads.
He said preliminary damages include $6,000 for the city of Alden, $20,000 for Alden-Conger Public School for damages to the athletic grounds, $12,000 for Carlston Township for road repair, $10,000 for Alden Township for road repair and culvert cleanup and $35,000 thus far for the Freeborn County Highway Department.
Hamberg said he planned to submit the $83,000 in damages to the state, which passes the county's threshold of $72,900. Though he estimated the final numbers will be higher than the initial reports, he did not think they would meet the $145,000 threshold in public infrastructure damage to qualify for a FEMA event.
He noted the city of Alden's sewer and drainage system was overburdened and flooded its sewage ponds.
Some of the roads that are being repaired have also already been recently repaired after a prior flooding.
The city of Albert Lea did not have any public infrastructure damage.
Commissioner Nicole Eckstrom said she had received a call from the Alden mayor, who said he would like to gather as many of the entities who have been affected by these flooding issues in recent years to see if there is something that can be done differently for the future. She said it doesn't seem like weather patterns will be changing.
In other action, the board:
—Accepted the resignation of Lyndon Stinson, the county's probation and pre-trial services director at the end of October and voted to refill the position. Stinson said he hoped to help train in the new director.
—Awarded the contract for about $206,000 to Ulland Brothers Inc. for the state-aid Magaretha Avenue railroad crossing improvement project.
County Engineer Phil Wacholz said improvements will also improve pedestrian crossing there.
The engineer's estimate was $187,200.
The county had received a $245,000 grant that went toward a portion of the project.
—Approved the final payment for almost $9,600 to Sir Lines-A-Lot for road striping on various county roads. The total project cost was about $176,000.
Aside from that project, Wacholz said Freeborn County applied with some other counties in the 6th District for federal funding for reflective paint for some other roads, and that project is just being advertised. He expected that to be done by June or July 2026.
—Appointed Dan DeBoer, Alan Bakken and Mitchell Delger to another term on the Shell Rock River Watershed District board of managers.
—Voted to table a motion that would set the Highway Department office hours as 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
Scattered storms across South Florida, more widespread rain expected this week
It was a stormy start to Wednesday with parts of South Florida receiving showers with heavy downpours and thunder. Scattered showers and storms will be around throughout the day. The chance of rain is highest from late afternoon into the evening. Afternoon highs will climb to the upper 80s with "feels like" temperatures in the mid to upper 90s when you factor in the humidity. Chance of rain increases over holiday weekend. NEXT Weather The chance of rain stays high on Thursday due to a southwesterly wind flow which will continue to steer showers and storms towards South Florida. More widespread rain is likely with the potential for heavy downpours. During the late week and the Fourth of July weekend, the weather will depend on a disturbance near northern Florida which the National Hurricane Center said has a medium potential (40% chance) of developing into a tropical or subtropical depression. A cold front will move into northern Florida and stall out. An area of low pressure is expected to develop along the front and bring plenty of moisture and instability. National Hurricane Center said system has a medium chance for development. NEXT Weather Regardless of development, this system will likely enhance the potential for showers and storms across South Florida on Friday and throughout the holiday weekend. How much rain South Florida will receive depends on how this system evolves and where it sets up. Right now the heaviest rain is expected for parts of northern and central Florida. The CBS Miami NEXT Weather team will continue to provide updates as we gather more data and see the latest forecast models.
Bloomberg
2 hours ago
- Bloomberg
Extreme Weather Has Americans Skipping Theme Parks This Year
Amusement park attendance is off to the worst start for its busiest period of the year in the post-pandemic era as bad weather deters thrill seekers. Foot traffic at United Parks & Resort Inc. 's twelve US locations has fallen an estimated 9.6% on average over the 30 days through June 20, compared with a 1.3% drop in the same period last year, according to an analysis of cellphone mobility data.
CBS News
2 hours ago
- CBS News
Home insurance tips for weather-proofing your home
We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. Weather-proofing your home could help protect it from damage while also helping to lower the cost of your home insurance year, there were a total of 27 weather and climate disasters in the United States with losses of more than $1 billion each, according to NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). These types of issues can be devastating to your finances, but home insurance coverage provides homeowners with valuable and often necessary protection from damages related to things like hail, hurricanes, fires, lightning and other perils listed in their policies. But while that insurance coverage can help protect your finances, those benefits also come at a cost. As extreme weather events become more common, many home insurance providers have hiked up rates or pulled out of certain areas. Over the past three years, home insurance premiums have increased by an average of 24%, according to the Consumer Federation of America (CFA). If you're a homeowner who's navigating higher home insurance costs, the good news is that there are some things you can do to reduce the likelihood of filing a claim because of a weather event. While you don't have control over when and what happens with the weather, you can work on weather-proofing your home. Here's how to do that. Find out how affordable the right home insurance policy could be now. Home insurance tips for weather-proofing your home Weather-proofing will vary based on your region's specific threats, but wind and hail are common weather events. In fact, every year, about one in 35 insured homes has a property damage claim from these events, according to the Insurance Information Institute. The goal with weather-proofing homes is to add a layer of protection so you're less likely to file a claim, as doing so could increase home insurance costs. Some home insurance companies may even offer discounts for doing so. Here are some of the top ways you can weather-proof your home: Keep up with roof maintenance Your roof plays a crucial role in protecting your home during severe weather. Having a sturdy roof can help lower the risk of potential storm damage. The last thing you want is a pesky leak or a damaged roof that affects the structure of your home. Replacing an older roof with a new one is one of the best ways to weather-proof your home, Brent Thurman, president of Keystone Insurance, says. "Many insurance carriers will give substantial discounts for this, knowing that the probability of a roof claim is greatly diminished," says Thurman. Buying a new roof can be costly, though, so if it's not a necessity yet, there are other ways to strengthen your roof. Fortifying your roof or getting a new one can reduce the likelihood of damage and may help you qualify for home insurance discounts. "Some of the standard approaches that homeowners take are using roof tie downs," says Mark Friedlander, senior director of media relations at the Insurance Information Institute, a national nonprofit research and education organization. "So you don't necessarily have to replace the roof, but you're just fortifying the roof system," adds Friedlander. Compare your home insurance coverage options to find the right ones for you. Consider storm shutters Depending on where you live, you might consider purchasing storm shutters as an extra layer of protection. Also referred to as hurricane shutters, these types of shutters help safeguard windows and doors from extraneous debris during storms and can help keep you and your belongings safe as well. These benefits may lower the likelihood of filing a claim. "Common ways to mitigate risk against wind include a wind radar, garage door and storm shutters, especially in the hurricane [prone] states. They have storm shutters, and not only will it make your home more resilient to these weather events, but it could potentially generate savings," says Friedlander. These benefits may lower the likelihood of filing a claim. And, in New York state, home insurance companies must offer discounts if policyholders install storm shutters that meet certain specifications, according to the Department of Financial Services. Seal gaps in windows and doors It's essential to keep your home protected from the elements during severe weather events. When weather-proofing your home, you want to close any gaps in windows and doors that could let water or wind in and damage your home. Plus, these steps can make your home more energy efficient as well. Friedlander suggests "weather stripping and caulking to seal gaps around windows, doors, and other openings that prevent air leaks and drafts, adding insulation to attics, walls and crawl spaces can significantly reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer." Remove outside debris As the seasons change, the area around your home can be full of debris that could damage your home in more ways than one. "We also encourage clients to remove leaves and other debris to prevent ice damming, potentially hurting their shingles or allowing water into their attics, which can damage their ceilings and walls," says Jesse L. Kohlbecker, vice president of claims and client services at COUNTRY Financial. Clearing debris may also lower the risk of a fire breaking out. "Removing dead leaves, needles, twigs, and other debris that could easily ignite, removing low-hanging branches that can carry fire from the ground to taller vegetation," Friedlander says. Clean out your gutters Weather-proofing your home requires some maintenance, too. And, one of the best things you can do is regularly clean your gutters. "We encourage them [clients] to clean their gutters and keep their downspouts open to prevent water backups," says Kohlbecker. In a storm event, it's not just your roof that can be damaged — your gutters are at risk too, Kohlbecker says. If your gutters aren't working properly, water can back up, and if it does, it may damage your roof. Not only that, but it may also lead to a water leak, which can be fertile ground for mold growth and end up multiplying your problems. Taking proactive steps can help, though. "It's so important to have those annual inspections and make sure that you're comfortable and your home is in good condition in the event that you experience a storm," adds Kohlbecker. The bottom line As home insurance costs continue to rise and the weather becomes more unpredictable, weather-proofing your home is more important than ever, and following these home insurance tips and protocols may reduce the likelihood of a claim. In some cases, you may even qualify for a discount with your insurance company. If not, remember that you can shop around for policies to compare options and ensure you're getting a competitive rate and are taking advantage of the discounts you qualify for. It's also important to be aware of your home insurance limitations and what's not covered under your standard homeowners insurance policy. While home insurance policies cover many weather-related events, standard coverage typically doesn't include damage from earthquakes or certain types of floods. So, when comparing home insurance companies, check to ensure whether they offer optional coverage to cover these and the other additional risks that could impact you.
