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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Jerry Hertaus (R)

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Flooding update

Monday, June 30, 2014
Dear Friends,
 
As you know, Lake Minnetonka and the surrounding communities have been hit hard by the severe storms and subsequent flooding. Basements have been flooded, many roads have been or remain underwater, and docks have been submerged for the better part of the last two weeks.
 
 
City officials have been working around the clock to help alleviate the flooding and enact solutions to prevent further damage to homes and businesses.
 
Last week, I toured one portion of the flooding on Baldur Park Road in Orono, which was completely submerged. The Orono City Council approved funding to construct a sand-filled berm to protect homes and help pump and divert water away from affected areas. Some of these homes' main living areas are just inches above the lake.
 
Residents joined the Orono Public Works Department, the Long Lake Fire Department, and Spring Lake Public Works Department along with other area volunteers to construct the berm last Tuesday and have seen moderate success holding back the water along parts of the road.
 
Residents are urged to stay away from Baldur Park Road due to the poor conditions of the road and instability of soil around the road.
 
 
I want to thank all the volunteers and city officials who are doing their part to band together and help neighbors impacted by the flooding. Minnesotans have a tradition of working together in difficult times such as these, and it's been great to see the community's response to this situation.
 
I will continue to monitor the situation and am happy to assist in any way possible as our community works to recover from the flooding and high-water levels.
 
Take care,
 
Jerry Hertaus
State Representative, District 33A