Heavy rain across Arrowhead region results in floods, downed trees, power outages, and search and rescue efforts

A severe thunderstorm with heavy rain swept across northern Minnesota on Tuesday, Jun. 18, significantly damaging roads and impeding travel along Hwy 61. Multiple Tornado Watch and Flash Flood Warnings were issued for Cook and Lake Counties.

By 6 p.m., reports of flooding and downed trees were coming in across Lake and Cook Counties. Parts of MN Hwy 1 were reported as washed out, and crews were deployed to clear trees off roadways.

On the Gunflint Trail, some motorists were trapped by fallen trees. There was extensive flooding across county roads and highways in the area. WTIP received reports of flooding with debris on Hwy 61 between Lutsen and Silver Bay. Numerous driveways and gravel roads were washed out.

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office released a travel advisory late Tuesday evening, following the events. “If you do not need to travel tonight, please stay put.”

Landslide near Schroeder – Tuesday, June 18 – Photo by Kalli Hawkins

Debris on Hwy 61 near Tofte – Photo by Kalli Hawkins

Cook County Highway Department Engineer Robbie Hass told WTIP that his department worked to clear trees from the ends of the Gunflint, Sawbill, Arrowhead, and Caribou Trails and would continue monitoring for other debris and damage.

During the severe storm, the Cook County Search and Rescue received a call of an injured child with a head injury after a tree struck a tent in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The team was deployed shortly before 7 p.m. to Snipe Lake, southeast of Round Lake. Given the heavy rain and thunderstorm conditions, search and rescue crews could not use air transport for the medical evacuation. Instead, crews used watercraft for the evacuation.

In addition to downed trees and road damage, portages and trails have experienced significant damage. In a Facebook post, the U.S. Forest Service announced portage closures due to water damage. “The Trout Lake Portage on the LaCroix Ranger District Cook, MN, is currently closed due to washouts. The Lake Vermilion area has received some of the higher amounts of rain and the portage from Vermilion to Trout Lake – BWCAW has washouts that are going to need to be repaired before portage operations can safely begin again.”

Following the storm, the National Weather Service in Duluth stated in a Facebook post many North Shore rivers are reaching flood stage levels, particularly the Baptism River. 

Stay tuned to WTIP for the latest weather related updates.

Kirsten Wisniewski June 18, 2024