Southeast Minnesota 2007 Flood
Highway 26 - Brownsville
This particular photo reminded me of what happened by our front driveway. There were
rocks strewn everywhere with two trucks buried in the debris. In our case, we were lucky
that it didn't cut through by our house.
Here's an example of a mud flow along highway 26. Bluffs
in this area are about 400 feet high. The mud slides are
similar to snow avalanches in that they become wider as
the flow continues down the hillside.
Another example.
The flow rips trees from their roots and turns them into battering rams.
The mud flows are unstoppable—anything in their path is destroyed.
Another view.
I spoke to the nephew of the woman who owned this house.
She was home with her boyfriend and three granddaughters.
It was around 10:30 on Saturday night when the boyfriend
went out to check on the weather and remarked at how hard
it was raining. It was shortly afterwards that the hill gave way
and the house was destroyed instantly. The boyfriend had a
large gash on the side of his head and is in a hospital in
Decorah, Iowa. (He should be released in a couple of days.)
One of her granddaughters was buried in the rubble. Her black
Labrador Retriever found her and stayed with her until help arrived.
Another view. The only part of the house that is distinguishable is part of the roof in the foreground.
This is what is left of the woman's car that was parked next to the house.