Five people died in Winona County today with the flooding that came overnight, including three people whose vehicles plunged into a 30-foot-deep pit of water after a road washed away just north of Witoka, officials said.
The rain had started about 11 p.m. and continued through the night, washing away that County Hwy. 17, just north of Witoka, where people drove into the big dropoff, said Bob Reinert, Winona County administrator.
"They apparently just drove off the edge of the pavement, and with the floodwaters just were unable to get out of the vehicle," he told the Associated Press.
South of Stockton, which is one of the hardest hit communities, two more people drowned on County Hwy. 23 after their car was washed off the road and the swept away by the current.
The number of deaths has varied during the morning as officials sought confirmation. Both Reinert and the Winona County Sheriff's department are setting the toll at five.
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Capt. Paul Rickert of the Minnesota National Guard is sending 75 members of its quick response force and two Blackhawk helicopters to the Winona area, Capt. Paul Rickert told KSTP-TV this morning. The towns of Elba and Stockton in the area have reported dangerous flooding.
Officials in Utah say there is still no sign of the 6 trapped miners almost two weeks into the search.
In a heartbreaking story we have lost two firefighters in a tragic event at ground zero.
In other news from around the world, China is still attempting to rescue 181 miners that were trapped in a mine that was flooded.
I will keep my eye on this news and bring you updates as they come in....
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