1965 — April 6-27, heavy rain, flooding, levee failures, many rivers, IA, Il, WI/3, MN/12–15

–15 US Weather Bur. Climatological Data, V52, “The Spring Floods…March-May, 1965,” p.195.
–12 Environmental Science Svc. Admin., Weather Bureau. Storm Data, 7/4, Apr 1965. (All MN)
–12 Ludlum. The American Weather Book. 1982, p. 73.

Minnesota 12
–12 Blanchard tally based on newspaper reporting below (April 6-23).
–12 Environmental Science Svc. Admin., Weather Bureau. Storm Data, 7/4, Apr 1965, p. 26.
–11 AP. “Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois Now Fighting River Flood.” Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. 4-22-1965, p.12.
–10 Daily Journal, Fergus Falls, MN. “Winona Is Hopeful Flood Under Control.” 4-19-1965 2.
— 9 by Apr 12. AP. “Warmer Weather New Flood Threat.” Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN. 4-13-1965, p.1.
— 6 by Apr 11. AP. “Three Guard Units to Help Flooded Areas.” Winona Daily News MN. 4-12-1965, 1
— 4 AP. “Mankato Area Placed on State of Emergency Basis.” Austin Daily Herald, MN. 4-8-1965, p1.

–3 Greenbush. Drowning when canoe swamped under a bridge near their home; Piersons.
–1 Jackson, Des Moines Riv. Drowning; bridge riveter falls into “rushing ice-jammed water.”
–1 Mankato, went missing Apr 7, body found Apr 22. Drowning; Gerald Hammerschmidt, 34.
–1 Marshall area southeast, April 6. Drowning; swollen creek on family farm; Loren Meyer, 8.
–1 St Paul, April 11. Drowning: “…young flood worker swept away in St. Paul Sunday.”
–1 Winona, Apr 18. Heart attack; working to pump water from basement of county jail; Arthur J. Kauphusman.
–1 Winona, Apr 19. Apparent heart attack; flood worker; William Fitzgerald, 36.
–2 Locales not noted, April 7. AP. “Mankato Area…” Austin Daily Herald, MN. 4-8-1965, p. 1.
–1 Local not noted, Apr 8-11.

Wisconsin 3
–2 AP. “Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois now Fighting River Flood.” Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. 4-22-1965, 1 & 12.
–1 Fremont, Wolf River, Apr 25. Drowning, 10-feet from shore; boat swamped by high waves.

MN rivers noted as having flooded:

Blue Earth River
Crow River
Des Moines River
Little Sioux River
Minnesota River
Mississippi River
Red Cedar River
Red Lake River
Straight River
Vermillion River
Zumbro River
Narrative Information

Storm Data on MN: “Minnesota. Most of state. 6-25 [April]…12 [killed]…229 [injured]…Severe flooding.

“Severe flooding which involved most of the state began with an ice-jam on the Vermillion River on the 6th. As the month progressed the Mississippi River and its tributaries and the Red River of the North produced record crests at many points along their banks….All [deaths?] due to accidents related t the flooding rather than a direct result of the advance of high water.” (Environmental Science Svc. Admin., Weather Bureau. Storm Data, 7/4, Apr 1965, p. 26.)

Newspapers

April 6, AP: “By the Associated Press. Heavy rain – up to two inches in the Minnesota River Valley, pushed several Minnesota streams out of their banks today and sent residents in some communities scurrying to higher ground Roads were blocked at many points by runoff water that gave hundreds of householders flooded basement problems. Some basement walls collapsed.

“Residents of a 12 block area at Hastings were being evacuated to escape floodwaters of the Vermillion River, normally a stream easily waded.

“Police evacuated several families from low-lying areas in southeast Austin today after the Red Cedar river climbed to 16 feet, a foot above flood stage, after cresting at 14.6 feet Monday. Rain during the night swelled the stream.

“At Blue Earth, the Blue Earth River, left its banks blocking Highways 16 and 169. Seven to eight feet of water covered the high school athletic field, and high water threatened transmitting facilities of Radio station KBEW. Water rose to within seven feet of the station’s building at 9 a.m.

“Blasting experts were called on at Blue Earth and other towns to dynamite ice jams that blocked rivers forcing water to back up. Two feet of water covered Highway 14 at Courtland because of runoff. Many other roads had similar conditions forcing detours.

“At Hastings the entire Westwood addition was being evacuated by police, Civil Defense workers and Red Cross. All city and county employes also were called in to move refugees to American Legion club rooms and the Armory. Electricity and natural gas to the arch were shut off.

“Heavy rain in the Minnesota Valley upstream from Mankato brought a hasty revision today of weather bureau flood predictions. A crest of 25 feet on April 10 was predicted for Mankato where 19 feet is flood stage. The river this morning had risen to 18.05 feet. Mankato is protected by 25 foot dikes, however.

“Higher water also was predicted for downstream communities including Chaska and Carver where it was expected to go 10.5 feet above flood-stage on April 13. ‘This is what we were afraid of,’ said Joseph Strub, Minneapolis Weather Bureau meteorologist, as he revised upward his previous forecasts for the Minnesota River.

“More than an inch of rain fell at Redwood Falls near the Minnesota River headwaters. Minnesota had 1.51, Alexandria, 1.59, Willmar 1.44 and Beardsley 1.05.

“Rain mixed with snow fell overnight in northern Minnesota and in the Dakotas. The Weather Bureau reported five inches of new snow at Devils Lake, N.D. in a six-hour period ending at 6 a.m. Snow fell today at Benson and Appleton, Minn.

“At Glenwood, accumulation of runoff water flooded the basement of a retirement home, knocking out the heating system. The home houses about 40 elderly people. Small electric heaters were brought in as firemen manned pumps. Several Glenwood homes were surrounded by wat4r.

“At Sauk Rapids, basement walls collapsed at two homes from water that collected in the thaw….

“The Des Moines River at Windom poured beyond its banks into the basements of dozens on homes. It covered Island Park and the Windom ball park grounds. The ice was jammed at two bridges and at a dam near Windom. Heavy rain began falling late Monday, but eased somewhat early today….

“Some highways in the southern portion of the state were closed because of high water. River and Bear Creek hit crests Sunday without causing any serious flood….

“The Minnesota rose to 11.3 feet at Mankato Monday, up about five feet from Sunday…

“The Little Sioux River was rising an inch an hour Monday and at Cherokee, many streets were inundated.” (Associated Press. “Ice Jams and Rain Increase Flooding.” Fergus Falls Daily Journal, MN. 4-4-1965, pp. 1 and 5.)

April 7: “High water, fed by rain and melting snow, sent rivers and streams in southern Minnesota far beyond their banks today, forcing hundreds of residents to evacuated homes in low-lying areas.

“At least two deaths were attributed to the flooding in Minnesota. Eight-year-ole Loren Meyer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Meyer, drowned in a swollen creek on the family farm southeast of Marshall Tuesday. At Jackson, Freeman Sammons, 39, of Tracy, Minn., a riveter on a new bridge being built over the Des Moines River, fell Tuesday into the rushing ice-jammed water. Fellow workers said he was visible for a short time, then heavy chunks of ice formed around him and his body disappeared. The ice jam prevented a search for the body.

“Nearly 300 families were removed to higher ground in Hastings when the Vermillion River flooded a 36-square block area with water raging up to fur feet in depth. Dakota County Engineer James Gaubiou called the Hastings flood ‘the worst in 50 years.’ Hastings is about 25 miles southeast of the Twin Cities.

“At Owatonna, the Straight Reiver was 16 feet above normal state and 10 families were sent to higher ground. Some park sections in the town were under water….

“Federal and state disaster officials flew over portions of the state Tuesday, inspecting ice jams and high water areas. They predicted if more rain falls, the flooding will spread.

“Weather Bureau officials warned that the Minnesota River was poised for a punishing blow. Up to two inches of rain fell in the river valley Monday, and more rain now is predicted…..

“The Mississippi River is expected to surge six feet out of its banks at St. Paul April 15.///

“The Weather Bureau at Minneapolis said Tuesday night that the levels of the Zumbro River in southeastern Minnesota had risen sharply during the day, and warned farmers and residents of low country along that stream to gird for heavy flooding. The Zumbro was 10 feet over flood stage Tuesday night at Zumbro Falls, and is expected to crest today at 12 feet over flood stage, And at Theilman, further downstream from Rochester, the Zumbro is expected to hit nine feet over flood stage today or tonight. The bureau said famers and communities along the Zumbro from Zumbro Falls to Theilman should brace for additional rises of two to three feet by tonight.” (Fergus Falls Daily Journal, MN. “Rivers Continue to Rise Above Flood Levels.” 4-7-1954, p. 1.)

April 8, AP: “By the Associated Press. National Guard troops were called out at Mankato today as the city battled against a Minnesota River rising to record levels. The Minnesota, fed by an onslaught from a loosened ice jam in the Blue Earth River, was standing seven feet over flood stage at Mankato and officials said there was only slim hope of holding a dike system.

“The floods, turning parts of southern Minnesota into a huge lake, having caused four deaths and left at least 18 highways blocked….

“Heavy rains were falling in the southern part of the state, adding potential to flood predictions already at or above record tides of 1953….” (Associated Press. “Mankato Area Placed on State of Emergency Basis.” Austin Daily Herald, MN. 4-8-1965, p. 1.)

April 9: “Mankato, Minn. (AP) – About 5,000 more persons fled their homes today, while embattled flood workers retreated from a dike that threatened to burst from the swirling Minnesota River waters.

“It was Minnesota’s worst flood in history, as the roiling waters and ice rose to 28.75 feet, or nearly 10 feet over flood stage. Although the level held steady for several hours this morning, the Weather Bureau stuck to its prediction of a 30-foot crest tomorrow.

“Warm, sunny skies today hastened the runoff of snow which blanketed southern Minnesota all winter.

“In all, 7,500 to 8,000 persons have evacuated homes in the area, authorities estimated. All Mankato schools including Mankato State College were closed today. Six to eight feet of water surrounded Mankato Senior High School, and the athletic field was flooded….” (AP. “Flood Now Termed Worst One in History of State.” Fergus Falls Daily Journal, MN. 4-9-1965, p. 1.)

April 12, AP: “At least another week of major flooding appeared in prospect for soggy Minnesota areas today as the Minnesota and Mississippi River continued to rise and smaller streams also poured over their banks. The Minnesota, sending its record bulge booming toward the Mississippi just below St. Paul, climbed three feet in 48 hours at New Ulm but Weather Bureau experts said this probably would not affect the stricken Mankato area….

“With major efforts concentrated now along the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers in the Twin Cities area, the Crow River troubled the Hutchinson and Delano areas in central Minnesota and the Red Lake River lapped at Crookston in the northwest….

“President Johnson declared the state a ‘major disaster’ area Sunday, opening the door for federal aid in 39 flood-affected counties. Federal funds will be available to repair and replace public facilities.

“Damage has been estimated at near $20 million and the Red Cross estimates 20,000 persons driven out of their homes. Six persons have died in flood waters and a seventh is missing. Latest victims was a young flood worker swept away in St. Paul Sunday.” (Associated Press. “Three Guard Units to Help Flooded Areas.” Winona Daily News, MN. 4-12-1965, p. 1.)

April 22: “”By the Associated Press. Rising Mississippi floodwaters carved a half-mile swath in Dubuque, Iowa, stayed at a record crest in La Crosse, Wis., and aimed their force at Illinois today. La Crosse dug in for two more days of record flooding the prompted Gov. Warren P. Knowles to comment, ‘That’s enough to make you cry.’ The 17.7-foot crest was 7.7 feet above flood stage and 2.4 feet higher than the record of 1952.

“Dubuque, a city of 57,000 at the Iowa-Illinois-Wisconsin junction, fought to stave off waters that were expected to crest at 26 feet Friday or Saturday. The water covered a seven or eight-block area of factories, small businesses and some homes. It covered parking meters and forced residents to flee their homes by boat. Gov. Harold E. Hughes of Iowa said he was asking legal advice on whether police could evict some 1,000 South Davenport residents who refused to leave their homes despite warnings of rising water. Hughes estimated flood damage at $15 million and said the waters have forced from their homes some 3,000 persons….

“President Johnson declared as disaster areas the tier of Wisconsin counties that took the Mississippi’s worst beating. The state’s toll comes to two dead, one missing, some 14,000 persons affected and damage totaling $18.7 million.

“Civil Defense authorities estimated that some 3,000 Illinois residents had left their homes from the northwest tip to the middle of the state’s western border. The great danger area, they said, was just north of the Quad Cities – Rock Island, Moline, East Moline, Ill., and Davenport, Iowa. No flood deaths have occurred in Illinois. Damage estimates would be impossible, Civil Defense authorities said. A two-mile earthen levee in the Quad-Cities is developing boils – blisters from which floodwaters ooze – at a rapid rate, a Civil Defense spokesman said….” (AP. “Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois Now Fighting River Flood.” Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. 4-22-1965, p.1 and 12.)

Sources

Associated Press. “Body of Flood Victim Found at Mankato Shop.” Winona Daily News, 4-23-1965, p. 9. Accessed 6-6-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/winona-daily-news-apr-23-1965-p-18/

Associated Press. “Chicagoan Drowns in Badger [Wisc.] River.” Winona Daily News, MN. 4-26-1965, p.10. Accessed 6-6-2022: https://newspaperarchive.com/winona-daily-news-apr-26-1965-p-19/

Associated Press. “Flood Now Termed Worst One in History of State.” Fergus Falls Daily Journal, MN. 4-9-1965, p1. Accessed 6-5-2022: https://newspaperarchive.com/daily-journal-apr-09-1965-p-1/

Associated Press. “Ice Jams and Rain Increase Flooding.” Fergus Falls Daily Journal, MN. 4-4-1965, pp. 1 and 5. Accessed 6-5-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/daily-journal-apr-06-1965-p-1/

Associated Press. “Mankato Area Placed on State of Emergency Basis.” Austin Daily Herald, MN. 4-8-1965, p. 1. Accessed 6-5-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/austin-daily-herald-apr-08-1965-p-1/

Associated Press. “Three Guard Units to Help Flooded Areas.” Winona Daily News, MN. 4-12-1965, p. 1. Accessed 6-5-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/winona-daily-news-apr-12-1965-p-1/

Associated Press. “Warmer Weather New Flood Threat.” Evening Tribune, Albert Lea, MN. 4-13-1965, p. 1. Accessed 6-5-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/albert-lea-evening-tribune-apr-13-1965-p-1/

Associated Press. “Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois Now Fighting River Flood.” Brainerd Daily Dispatch, MN. 4-22-1965, p.1. Accessed 6-6-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/brainerd-daily-dispatch-apr-22-1965-p-1/

Daily Journal, Fergus Falls, MN. “Winona Is Hopeful Flood Under Control.” 4-19-1965 p. 2. Accessed 6-5-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fergus-falls-daily-journal-apr-19-1965-p-2/

Environmental Science Service Administration, Weather Bureau. Storm Data, Vol. 7, No. 4, April 1965. Asheville: U.S. Department of Commerce, 1965. Accessed 6-5-2022 at: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-B7FB7ECD-728F-41F7-BE04-A0ECA42ECBFC.pdf

Fergus Falls Daily Journal, MN. “Rivers Continue to Rise Above Flood Levels.” 4-7-1954, p. 1. Accessed 6-5-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fergus-falls-daily-journal-apr-07-1965-p-1/

Ludlum, David M. The American Weather Book. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1982.

United States Weather Bureau. Climatological Data (National Summary). Asheville, NC: Weather Bureau, U.S. Department of Commerce, Vol. 16, No. 9, Sep 1965. Digitized by Google: http://books.google.com/books?id=vkVNJu3zJv8C&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q=betsy&f=false

Winona Daily News, MN. “Flood Worker Dies After Delivering Bags.” 4-19-1965, p. 5. Accessed 6-5-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/winona-daily-news-apr-19-1965-p-5/

Winona Daily News, MN. “Winona Funerals.” 4-20-1965, p. 13. Accessed 6-6-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/winona-daily-news-apr-20-1965-p-25/