Local News

Community Struggles To Rebound 1 Year After Floods

RUSHFORD, Minn. (WCCO) ― It's been one year since devastating floodwaters hit several counties in Southeast Minnesota, and the effects of the flooding are still being felt today.

Seven southeastern Minnesota counties were declared federal disaster areas and seven people were killed in the flooding. One of the hardest hit communities was Rushford, where 80 homes were destroyed and another 200 had major damage.

For many of the people in Rushford, the anniversary isn't about remembering the floods. On this first anniversary, it is a time to get together, to thank all the volunteers and celebrate how far everyone has come. They've made huge progress but there are still many challenges ahead.

"Well, we just basically gutted it down to the bare studs," said Rushford homeowner Josh Happel.

Like almost everyone in Happel's neighborhood, and almost everyone in Rushford, the house he moved back into in May is better than the one he had before the floods. He has new walls, new rugs and even insulation.

"It wasn't worth it. I'd much rather have my old house and not gone through all this," he said.

Happel spent all of the money he received from FEMA and he still has little projects to go: fixing the yard, the trim around the window and some paint touch-ups.

"It's much better than a FEMA trailer," Happel said.

The town is busy with a few shops still waiting for tenants. But the restaurant and banks are back. And the grocery store that was littered with food on the floor after the floods has been up and running for moneys. So is Dahl's Auto Works.

"At times it was so frustrating that I wished I had locked the door," said Larry Dahl. "And other times when I think of all the volunteers and all the employees how much they helped I get shivers down my back how everything has worked out."

Dahl said business is back in a community that is trying to shop locally, and following its motto "Never, ever give up."

"We're just happy to be in the house. So I can live with the yard for a while," Happel said.

Of the homes that were damaged in Rushford only 22 families are still in FEMA trailers and about 75 people still haven't moved back yet. The reality is it costs a lot more to entirely rebuild a house than the aid that people receive from the government.

 

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