Downpour causes flooding in SE Minnesota

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From left, Jordan Lee, 17, paddles friends Paige Jorgenson, 15, and Kassi Clear, 17, in the floodwaters near Lee's home in Owatonna, Minn. Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

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Owatonna, MN, USA — Law enforcement servicemen examine the rising water levels in the Straight River in Owatonna, Minn. Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

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Owatonna, MN, USA — A woman walks through flooded streets and driving rain in Owatonna, Minn. Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

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Men, women, boys and girls help fill sandbags Thursday afternoon near the New Richland Care Center as the residents battled rising waters in many places near a creek that flows through the city. (Michelle Haacke/Albert Lea Tribune) link to this photo

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Water shoots up from a manhole cover on Eighth Avenue in Ellendale, Minn. on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010. (Tim Engstrom/Albert Lea Tribune) link to this photo

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Owatonna, MN, USA — Michelle Rush walks through floodwaters as she and Burgin Russell look to help neighbors sandbag their home in Owatonna, Minn. Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

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Medford, MN, USA — A utility worker checks lines in Straight River Park in Medford, Minn. Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

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Flooding along Main Street in Pine Island, Minn., on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010. (Photo courtesy of Abraham G. Algadi) link to this photo

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Owatonna, MN, USA — Craig Sletten, left, and Trinity Emery work to sandbag Sletton's home as it is threatened with floodwaters in Owatonna, Minn. Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010. (MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson) link to this photo

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Flooding along Highway 14, near Owatonna, Minn. on Sept. 23, 2010. (Submitted photo/Jessica Gunther) link to this photo