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Early signs point to increased risk of spring flooding

The states floodplain manager says now is the time to review your flood insurance coverage.

There's a telling sign along the Mississippi River near St. Paul.

"The water levels right now are high," said Sandy Miller who was at Harriet Island Park Monday.

That sign points to a potential spring-time problem.

"Already well above what we saw last year," said Craig Schmidt at the National Weather Service in Chanhassen.

He says rivers are all higher than normal. Combine that with high soil moisture from a wet 2019 and we could see quite a bit of flooding according to the initial 2020 Spring Flood Outlook.

"Now is the time to get prepared," said Schmidt.

Being prepared means reviewing your flood insurance coverage or looking into a policy.

"There's a 30-day waiting period," said Ceil Strauss at the Minnesota DNR.

She says homeowners should consider it even if you're not in a high risk area.

"Close to 50 percent of the damage are outside those highest risk areas. We'd encourage people to look at their risk. Are they in a low area. Are they near a river or lake," said Strauss. 

She says flood insurance covers overland flooding from nearby lakes and rivers or from intense rain.

"If your issue is more seepage from groundwater, it doesn't cover that," said Strauss.

The DNR has more information on flood insurance on their website including a look at rates and floodplain maps. 

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