Flooding puts Faribault, Minn. in state of emergency

FARIBAULT, Minn. (KMSP) - People in Faribault are rallying together as floodwaters continue to creep higher. The city is in a state of emergency.

Water from the Straight River continues to rise, forcing people to sandbag and prepare for the worst. The river, no longer bound by banks or dam, spilled over toward homes and businesses.

Since 1892, the Faribault Woolen Mill has stood side-by-side with the powerful Cannon River enjoying the beauty and, but now, enduring the danger. So far, business leaders in downtown Faribault say they’ve largely avoided damage, thanks in large part to volunteers who've pitched in to help.

Students from Discovery Public Schools traded their gym shorts for shovels to help sandbag.

Further south in Owatonna, rising waters rushed into the SMC quarry, overtaking equipment and sending crews scrambling to block the water. The extent of the damage in the quarry is still unknown.

On Saturday, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar will tour flood damage in Faribault and meet with local officials, and people impacted by the flooding.