Evening flood update: Dam blows, bridges and roads out

9 p.m. update to today’s lead story: High water on the St. Croix after headwaters hit by torrential rain, flash flooding.

Dam destroyed

Radigan Dam on the Upper Tamarack River, which authorities warned was ready to fail earlier today, has met the prediction. The contents of the lake formerly behind the dam are now headed downstream several miles to the St. Croix.

A flash flood warning is in effect, with all bridges across the Upper Tamarack below Radigan Dam closed.

There are numerous cabins and properties along the stretch, and we wish them good fortune.

3:30 PM: THE RADIGAN FLOWAGE DAM ON THE TAMARACK RIVER HAS LIKELY BROKEN! FLOODING IS OCCURING! #WIWX pic.twitter.com/itiYTOvaSw

— NWS Duluth (@NWSduluth) June 18, 2018

DAM HAS LIKELY BROKEN! WATER NOW OVER ALL BRIDGES DOWNSTREAM IN SW DOUGLAS COUNTY! AVOID THIS AREA! #WIwx https://t.co/feaYkkLn7a

— NWS Duluth (@NWSduluth) June 18, 2018

https://twitter.com/bmcdonoughkstp/status/1008870139608039424

Hinckley-Danbury bridge submerged, closed

Highway 48, which crosses the St. Croix at an access point called Thayer’s Landing, was closed this afternoon after water overcame the bridge deck.

MPR News photographer Andrew Krueger posted photos and videos on Twitter:

Highway 77/48 just closed at the St. Croix River bridge west of Danbury #Wisconsin. This is on the #Minnesota side, just west of the bridge #mnwx #wiwx @MPRnews pic.twitter.com/sRq2Rg5iI1

— Andrew Krueger (@akpix) June 18, 2018

Highway 77/48 closed at St. Croix River Bridge west of Danbury #Wisconsin. This is taken from the MN side looking toward WI at 3:50 pm pic.twitter.com/eviY33LKE1

— Andrew Krueger (@akpix) June 18, 2018

Rushing waters of St. Croix River lapping at bottom of road deck shortly before Highway 77-48 bridge west of Danbury #Wisconsin was closed this afternoon pic.twitter.com/DzSZYGnEqn

— Andrew Krueger (@akpix) June 18, 2018

Water continues to slowly rise over #Minnesota Highway 48 at the St. Croix River east of Hinckley. This taken at 4:55 pm. Road is closed; highway worker going to secure barricades pic.twitter.com/FJgOqYUBNd

— Andrew Krueger (@akpix) June 18, 2018

St. Croix floodwaters are covering Highway 48 and barricades are up… this truck was not too concerned pic.twitter.com/z9zRxo3fId

— Andrew Krueger (@akpix) June 18, 2018