Flood Watch Along Minnesota River Valleys

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Our recent warm temperatures and steady rain have thousands of people living along Minnesota's rivers worried about flooding.

Governor Tim Pawlenty is among those worried about flooding -- especially with rain in the forecast until Saturday -- and he'll be in Moorhead this morning to see how the Red River is looking and what local officials are doing to try and push back against it.

It's like the movie "Groundhog's Day" in the Red River Valley. The Governor will go and thank city workers and volunteers who are once again filling millions of sandbags. He'll also tell them about the emergency assistance request he sent to the White House and federal emergency management agency yesterday.

The Governor told the president about efforts already underway by state, county and local agencies, and asked for help with efforts like life saving, property protection, public health, and levee construction.

The weather service says there's a 90 percent chance the red river will flood again to 40 feet, as it did in 2009.

While much attention is to the north and west, there's concern right here in the twin cities.

There's a 70 percent chance of major flooding along the Mississippi river in St. Paul.

Some of the areas affected in the past: Harriet Island, the downtown airport and parts of Lillydale.

That water is coming up the Minnesota River from northern Iowa and southern Minnesota. There are flood warnings already in effect in the Mason City area.