People, animals flee Duluth floods

DULUTH, Minn. - Duluth, Minnesota has seen some staggering rainfall totals over the past 24 hours.

It makes the heavy rains that we dealt with in early May look like passing showers.

And Duluth's flooding isn't just a nuisance. It's doing serious damage and is a real threat to people's lives.

Duluth is going to have a long few weeks, perhaps even months as it recovers.

The torrential rains, 9 inches or more, turned parking lots into lakes, and streets into raging torrents.

• Story: Major flooding in Duluth, Minn.
• Click here to see photos of the flooding

“The last time Duluth had a big flood like this was 1972. In the '72 flood, it was the same situation. Duluth is vulnerable to high water because it's built on a hillside. So whatever starts at the top runs downhill and turns the avenues and streets all into rivers, washing down debris, pieces of the roadway,” said Ken Buehler, KDAL Radio.

The flood waters washed out roads, flooded homes, and claimed several vehicles.

One 8-year-old boy survived being swept away by the rushing water for about six blocks.

And humans weren't the only ones impacted.

At the low-lying Lake Superior Zoo, Berlin, the zoo's polar bear, and two seals escaped their enclosures.

They were captured without incident.

However, other animals were trapped by floodwaters and drowned.

"We have the three birds; we have six sheep, four goats, and one donkey,” said Peter Pruett, Lake Superior Zoo director of animal management.

Highways were closed. So was the University of Minnesota Duluth campus. And the city's mayor has declared a state of emergency encouraging residents to stay at home and out of the way of emergency crews.