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mnz011-012-019-020-026-034>038-241000- /o.new.kdlh.fa.a.0001.120523t2100z-120525t0000z/ /00000.0.er.000000t0000z.000000t0000z.000000t0000z.oo/ northern st. louis-northern cook/northern lake-central st. louis- southern lake/lakeshore-southern itasca-crow wing-northern aitkin- southern aitkin-carlton/southern st. louis-pine- including the cities of...ely...isabella...hibbing... two harbors...grand rapids...brainerd...hill city...aitkin... duluth...cloquet...hinckley 321 pm cdt wed may 23 2012 ...flood watch in effect through thursday evening... the national weather service in duluth has issued a * flood watch for portions of east central minnesota...north central minnesota and northeast minnesota...including the following areas...in east central minnesota...crow wing... northern aitkin...pine and southern aitkin. in north central minnesota...southern itasca. in northeast minnesota... carlton/southern st. louis...central st. louis...northern cook/northern lake...northern st. louis and southern lake/lakeshore. * through thursday evening * a slow moving frontal system will become nearly stationary across the northland tonight through thursday. abundant moisture will surge northward from the gulf of mexico...and interact with the front to create very heavy rainfall over an extended period of time. most of the flood watch area can expect to see rainfall on the order of 2 to 3 inches...with locally higher amounts in excess of 4 inches. * rivers across the area have been fairly low until recent rainfall...and there is still a fair amount of room within the banks of most rivers and streams. however...rainfall in excess of 3 or 4 inches...will likely lead to river and stream responses that will result in much faster flow than we have recently seen. with such extreme rainfall...rivers and streams will likely rise significantly within their banks...with some even flowing out of their banks. storms repeatedly moving over the same areas will likely lead to high rainfall rates as well. in addition to rivers...ditches and culverts may fill up... affecting roads and driving conditions. in the event flooding becomes imminent or is observed...flood or flash flood warnings will need to be issued. precautionary/preparedness actions... a flood watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. you should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible flood warnings. those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop. && $$