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CNN Sunday Morning

Minnesota Expects Severe Floods

Aired April 08, 2001 - 09:16   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BRIAN NELSON, CNN ANCHOR: Breckenridge, Minnesota is no stranger to flooding, but what's predicted may be the worst yet there. According to the National Weather Service, the two rivers that form the Red River may crest at the very same time. And the Red River flows right through Breckenridge.

Local people are sandbagging there day and night. And the National Guard has been called in to help. And we learn more now from Julie Borgan (ph) from CNN affiliate KARE in Minneapolis.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JULIE BORGAN, KARE REPORTER (voice-over): Volunteers race against the clock, struggling with sand bags and too little help.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think people got burnt out on '90 and '97. I think they had their fill of the flood and they were affected by it. It took a lot of years off of people's lives.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This whole area -- most of our city here was under water in 1997.

BORGAN: But while residents here may still be shell-shocked from '97, the forecast is even worse this year.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's hard to believe that we're looking at two rivers cresting at the same time. It doesn't happen before. So we need to be prepared for that.

BORGAN: Meanwhile, the rain is already turning saturated farm fields into lakes and threatening to close Highway 210.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is not cool.

BORGAN: As he sand bags continue to pile up, neighbors say they're bracing for the worst.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yeah, I'm a little nervous when they're saying it's higher than '97.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Maybe I should stay in a hotel.

BORGAN: But hoping that this time Mother Nature has something better in store.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NELSON: Spilled waters have already closed some roadways in the Breckenridge, Minnesota area and they are looking for trouble.

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