In their latest forecast issued this afternoon the NWS put a flood warning in effect for the Henderson area. This forecast did not include any rainfall that might occur between now and Friday night and will be updated as needed.

Assuming the forecast holds true the north and south pump stations in Henderson city limits will be closed on Sunday morning and most likely remain closed until the river goes back down below elevation 727 feet above sea level. This means that if you live near the Henderson ponding areas you can expect water depths in those ditches and surrounding property anywhere from 1-5 feet during and following any rain event. Mill Creek is also expected to rise starting today so try to stay clear of this area as well.

If this existing prediction holds true water can be expected on the shoulders of State Highway 19 east of Henderson by sometime on Tuesday of next week with the possibility of the same to occur on State Highway 93 shortly thereafter. MNDOT officials will decide if/when closure of these roads become necessary as conditions warrant.

If anyone notices any debris or material that might cause problems either at Mill Creek or the ponding areas please contact Emergency Management Director Tom Phillips.

See the above Check River Level link for today's updated NWS forecast.

Ice breaking up on the Highway 19 bridge, gauge readings will vary until things calm down. Watch out for spectators if you are driving across the bridge.

Ice jam about a mile north of the Highway 19 bridge, river came up almost 4 feet in a little over an hour. North and south pump station gates closed and pumps running on automatic-stay away from high water in the ponding areas.

Ice jam moved a little downstream but not much-lots of trees and debris. Darlene Boehne and Tom Phillips interviewed by channel 5 and should be on the next news broadcast-channel 4 might be here by noon. Looks like the river levels will not change much today unless the ice jam breaks. Current forecast gets water on the shoulders of State Highway 19 by sometime on Thursday but the NWS will know more in couple days as the ice continues to break downstream.

Local officials taking a tour of the river with the channel 5 news crew right now. Tom Phillips also being interviewed for channels 11 and 12 news. River levels sticking pretty close to the latest NWS forecast; survey points on the top of the levee just verified by Sibley Surveyor's and on the average current river water levels are about 15' below the top of the levee and 3' from initiating the action plan for stop log closure installation (No decisions will be made on this until the river reaches elevation 733.7 and is forecast to continue rising.).

Most current forecast from NWS:
THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR THE MINNESOTA RIVER AT HENDERSON.
* AT 1:00 PM MONDAY THE STAGE WAS 730.7 FEET.
* MINOR FLOODING IS FORECAST.
* FLOOD STAGE IS 732.0 FEET.
* FORECAST...RISE ABOVE FLOOD STAGE BY WEDNESDAY MORNING AND CONTINUE TO RISE TO NEAR 734.6 FEET BY SUNDAY EARLY AFTERNOON MARCH 21ST. HOWEVER...ADDITIONAL RISES ARE POSSIBLE THEREAFTER.
* IMPACT...AT 734.0 FEET...THE FLOODWALL GATES ARE CLOSED.

If the current forecast holds true a decision would be made on putting up the closures after the Friday, March 19 forecast.