Minnesota in Photos

An exploration of our state in images.

June 19, 2013

Before and after photos: 2012 flood damage, recovery in Duluth, northeast Minnesota


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Up to 10 inches of rain fell over northeastern Minnesota in June 2012, causing more than $100 million in damage. Rivers and streams flooded their banks, severely damaging roads and bridges. About 1,500 hundred homes also suffered significant damage. A year later, most of that damage has been repaired. Some work still continues though, including on the iconic swinging bridge at Jay Cooke State Park.

Click the images to see transition

1

This before-after pair of images shows Skyline Parkway near Ninth Avenue East in Duluth on June 20, 2012 and again almost a year later. (Click image to see transition) (Derek Montgomery for MPR)
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2

On June 20, 2012, Brewery Creek burst through a retaining wall adjacent to the Whole Foods coop in Duluth. One year later, a new retaining wall has been built. (Click image to see transition) (Derek Montgomery for MPR)
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3

Chester Creek in Duluth, like many tributaries to Lake Superior, flooded on June 20, 2012. A year later, water levels have returned to normal. (Click image to see transition) (Derek Montgomery for MPR) link to this photo

4

A pair of images show where a sinkhole swallowed a car on First Street and Seventh Avenue East in Duluth. on June 20, 2012, and the same area again nearly a year later. (Click image to see transition) (Derek Montgomery for MPR) link to this photo

5

Two views of Highway 210 near Jay Cooke State Park in June 2012 and again nearly a year later after a bridge was built. The washout was nearly 50 feet deep. (Click image to see transition) (Derek Montgomery for MPR) link to this photo

6

A section of Highway 210 was washed out in June 2012 after a dyke was breached at Forebay Lake. The wall of water washed away a large swath of forest and left a large gap in the highway. Work is underway now to repair the washout. According to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources officials, there was no waterway or stream here before the washout. (Click image to see transition) (Derek Montgomery for MPR) link to this photo

7

The swinging bridge over the St. Louis River in Jay Cooke State Park sustained heavy damage in June 2012. Nearly a year later, park officials hope for the bridge to be open again by the end of 2013. (Click image to see transition) (Derek Montgomery for MPR) link to this photo

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Two views of atheltic fields behind Moose Lake High School in June 2012, and again nearly a year later. (Click image to see transition) (Derek Montgomery for MPR) link to this photo

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Before view: Moose Lake's then-superintendent Tim Caroline surveys the floodwaters surrounding Moose Lake High School on June 21, 2012. After view: Nearly a year later, current Moose Lake superintendent Robert Indihar stands in the same spot. The school sustained severe damage in last year's flood. (Click image to see transition) (Derek Montgomery for MPR) link to this photo

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Before view: Katie Jungers surveys the athletic fields behind Moose Lake High School on June 21, 2012. After view:Children run around during recess nearly a year after flooding inundated the school grounds. (Click image to see transition) (Derek Montgomery for MPR) link to this photo

11

Before view: Cullen Raasch kayaks through the flooded parking lot of the Moose Lake school building on June 21, 2012. After view: Cars, trucks and minivans now occupy the parking lot. (Click image to see transition) (Derek Montgomery for MPR) link to this photo

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Dual views of Highway 73 in Moose Lake, Minn. on June 21, 2013 and again nearly a year later. (Click image to see transition) (Derek Montgomery for MPR) link to this photo

13

In Thomson, Minn., a reservoir breeched its walls in June 2012, flooding homes and severly damaging Vermillion Street. A year later, this property has been repaired. (Click image to see transition) (Derek Montgomery for MPR) link to this photo

14

Vermillion Street in Thomson, Minn., in June 2012 and again nearly a year later. (Click image to see transition) (Derek Montgomery for MPR) link to this photo

Read more Duluth flood coverage:

Flood-ravaged Duluth, northeast Minnesota, still recovering a year later
A year ago today, 24 hours of torrential rain unleashed epic floods that tore apart homes, schools, streets, parks and communities across Duluth and northeast Minnesota.

2012 floods devastated NE Minnesota's environment; sustainable solutions planned
The widespread flooding that hit northeastern Minnesota one year ago wiped away roads and bridges and damaged schools, businesses and homes.

Flooded-out homeowners near Duluth face limited options a year later
"This is unsellable land, so if we decide to stay, we're stuck here for the rest of our lives," says Cathedral Pines homeowner Denny Gertzen, a year after the bloated Moose Horn River swallowed his property whole.

Anatomy of the 2012 Duluth flood
In just a few hours, the flood set many all-time rainfall and flood records for Duluth.

Rain was much heavier than NWS expected
A year ago today the National Weather Service in Duluth was predicting that an approaching storm would bring about two to four inches of rain to northeastern Minnesota.

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