Rivers Along North Shore Overflowing After Large Rainfall – WCCO

DULUTH, Minn. (WCCO) — Officials say that the rivers of the North Shore along Lake Superior are overflowing following significant rainfall totals amid the spring snowmelt season.

“In the past 48 hours, between 1-2″ of rain fell in Cook County,” Kjersti Vick, with Visit Cook County, said. “The rivers along the North Shore of Lake Superior are now bursting with water at levels not seen in decades.”

Vick shared images of the waterfalls on the Cascade River to show the dramatic difference in the last week. The first photo showed the river as of May 4.

(credit: Kjersti Vick)

The second showed the river as of Friday.

(credit: Kjersti Vick)

The delayed snowmelt and heavy rains are leading to some disruptions to travel routes. Drivers are urged to check conditions with the U.S. Forest Service or Cook County Highway Department.

There have been more than 200 severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings across Minnesota and western Wisconsin between Monday and Thursday of this week.

After such a dramatic stretch of summer-like storms, more mild weather is in store for the weekend, which marks the fishing opener in Minnesota.