The town of Waterville, Minnesota, is living up to its name after repeated rounds of rain resulted in record flooding -- and the end still isn't in sight.
Mayor Bill Conlin estimated that five to six times more buildings were swamped in comparison to a "normal" flood, local station KTSP-TV reported Sunday.
"I'm not even sure on that number, but it's so much more of our properties that have never flooded are underwater right now," he said.
Le Sueur County Commissioner David Preisler said the flooding was historic.
"This is from all accounts, as we talk with people here locally, the largest flooding event that Waterville has experienced," he said.
Conlin said it was unclear when the Canon River that bisects the town and links the adjacent Tetonka and Sakatah lakes would stop rising, allowing the floodwaters to recede.
But he added that "it's not going to be in the next couple of days."
"The infrastructure is working fine," the mayor said. "Everything is clear, the water is flowing. It's just too much water."
Residents and business owners said conditions were worsening, local TV station KARE-TV reported Monday morning.
"Worst thing I've ever been through," said Brent Wilcox, who owns the town's waterfront Cannon Gate Park campground.
During a new conference Monday, Minnesota National Guard Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke said 46 guard members began arriving Monday to staff pump stations and assist local officials, KARE reported.
Gov. Tim Walz, who on Saturday declared a peacetime emergency, told reporters that a special disaster contingency fund had an available balance of $26.4 million, with another $50 million scheduled to be added in August.
"Many of you are doing the math in your head... it doesn't take much to hit those numbers anymore," Walz said.
Meanwhile, the National Weather Service said there was a 40% chance of potentially severe showers and thunderstorms Monday night, with more showers likely on Friday.
