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ST. PAUL —  (3:30 p.m.) The Mankato office of the Minnesota Department of Transportation continues to advise no unnecessary travel in areas of recent flooding in south central Minnesota.

Highways CLOSED include:
• Hwy 19 west of Gaylord (low spot about one mile from town)
• Hwy  19 Henderson to Hwy 169 – long term river closure
• Hwy 93 Henderson to Hwy 169 – long term river closure
 
Highways with RESTRICTIONS or water over roadway include:
• Highway 22 Mankato to St. Peter – water on fog line use caution
• Highway 22 in Gaylord – city pumping water over highway

Statewide road closures can be found at http://www.dot.state.mn.us/flood/.

Highways with prior RESTRICTIONS REMOVED – NOW OPEN
• Hwy 4 between Sleepy Eye and Fairfax – open around 11 a.m.
• Hwy 169 SB between St. Peter and LeSueur both lanes opened around 11 a.m.
• Hwy 112 west of LeCenter – cleared Thursday afternoon
• Hwy 22 north of Gaylord – cleared Thursday afternoon

Every flood is dangerous. If you must travel, follow these safe driving practices:
• Check www.511mn.org before traveling for information on road conditions, closures and detour routes.
• Expect the unexpected – flash floods can occur anytime, anywhere.
• Do not drive around barricades or into flooded areas. 
• If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground, if you can do so safely.
 
Crews are out clearing mudslides and installing traffic control.  Road conditions are changing quickly.  Officials warn that roads may be closed or restricted without warning as flash flooding and mud slides are difficult to predict. 
 
Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control and possible stalling. A foot of water will float many vehicles. Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles and pick-ups.
 
When a road is closed it is illegal to travel in that area. Motorists can be fined up to $1,000 and/or 90 days in jail. In addition, if travelers need to be rescued from a closed road, other expenses and penalties will apply.

For additional updates, ‘like’ MnDOT at www.facebook.com/mndot, follow @mndotscentral on Twitter.