Torrential rains fell upon far northern Minnesota on July 31 and August 1. The first of a sequence of thunderstorms entered northwestern Minnesota during the early morning hours of the 31st. The last of the storms finally exited northeastern Minnesota approximately 24 hours later. In their wake, the storms left a swath of two to six inches of rain. The heavy rain led to rising streams, urban flooding and road wash-outs. The heaviest rain fell in portions of Lake of the Woods, Beltrami, and Koochiching counties. Rainfall amounts topping five inches were common in these counties. Scattered within this three county area were isolated unofficial reports of six to seven inches. The highest official total reported was 5.97 inches at Baudette in Lake of the Woods county. An automated weather station near Baudette indicated that nearly three inches of rain fell in a two hour period between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm on the 31st.

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Last modified: August 1, 2001