Family prepares to lose store too after home fell into Blue Earth River

[@karenwhite4461]

Losing the land itself with no hope of rebuilding is a crushing blow. The Dam Store may only live on in memories. Prayers the store survives and that they may yet be able to move it to safety for another 100 years.

[@UC5kym7PU5p4gqtCGShcXhFA]

"The new reality in west is: rapes, missing persons, stabbings, killings, murders, shootings and even beheadings are happening all the time. There is a link between these crimes and mass migration. . . . . . . . . . . . .

[@tigrehermano]

Google images show those guys removed a big strip of trees in the river bed and only them built so close to the river. They earned it.

[@time4paws]

So terribly sorry for their loss. Not many can relate to their land disappearing. Trying to wrap one’s mind around that can’t be easy. Truly devastating.

[@kamikazekid94]

How devastating. I feel sorry for them

[@lindabradford9591]

I was hoping it won't take the store. This is so sad for the family.

[@Trapper50cal]

I feel so bad for this family. So many years. They must be the only folks saying, "Bust already, bridge...how much do you need to take from us?" especially if it's bound to happen at some point. If it holds, it's going to take so much work to get it back to safe. I think it was built in 1910? That's just amazing from a quality workmanship standpoint. There was still nearly 20 years to go before the Great Depression at that point. Only 11 years departed from the 1800's. Anyways, I hope this family can rise from the ashes and start the next chapter of their legacy.

[@dewdude]

Any structures left standing won't be when this is all said and done. If it's even safe enough to do; they'll demolish the building as the ground is not safe and they can't have any more debris like that falling in the river. That's not to mention not a single insurance company will give any coverage on that area now. It just became a massive liability for a lot of people. This is what happens when you build near man-made stuff like this. These are the risks one should consider.

[@nnonotnow]

As she said. We are not in control. Thankful for each day and everything that you have

[@JimsEquipmentShed]

During Irene, we lost about 34’ of land. I watched as all of the sudden, my car trailer and the Apple tree planted by my great grandfather disappeared into the abyss. But thankfully for us, it stopped. But in that moment, I felt that same feeling of helplessness.

[@kabodick]

💔😢

[@xr6lad]

Watching this from Melbourne, Australia. Looks like such a lovely store and gardens (what’s left) of them around the store.

[@lightdancer2251]

I’m so sad for this family..crazy this can happen.

[@Macgyver46]

Crazy is to think it couldn't or wouldn't. It's not a matter of if but when. We are living on an ever changing and dangerous planet, and that's never changed.

[@real100talk5]

SOmeone is responsible for this. I wonder who didn't do their job and let debris build up?

[@jeromebullard6123]

@@real100talk5I hope you’re joking, because if you’re not… 🥴

[@blustarr57]

My heart goes out to you guys! It was so sad to watch your home go, now praying you dont lose the store!

[@devastatoraudio]

Ill bet Blackrock and Vanguard are somehow behind this.

[@Bill-sp8kb]

​@@devastatoraudioI'll bet it's fun living inside your head with Peter Pan and the Easter Bunny.

[@riverflyswatter]

@@Bill-sp8kblove to hear your thoughts on her aviator glasses. Like the kind Brandon sports.

[@adamhuffman3354]

Yea it’s just awful. My heart hurts for those folks. Lost the house AND THE LAND and it wasn’t the 🏦 bank!

[@bigfoot163]

DEMOCRATS HAVE SPENT ZERO DOLLARS IN INFASTRUCTURE OVER THE LAST 12 OF 16 YEARS... WAKE UP AMERICA DEMOCRATS ARE THE PROBLEM

[@johnevans1969]

I am so sorry for you poor folks and everyone that's been devastated by these horrible floods and fires and tornadoes. Darkest before the dawn!

[@felixthecat4536]

Sad. Heartbreaking for you. Everyone pull together and help these beautiful people.

[@robertfuerstenberg7165]

I am so sorry for the devastation that has been visited on your family. The loss of your home is painful enough but I hope the store survives. As a young boy, my family spent many weekends at the Rapidan dam and I have fond memories of the store.

[@roadie3124]

I'm very sorry for your loss. I clicked on this story because of the reference to Mankato, the home of Virgil Flowers. Since then I've been captivated by the unfolding tragedy. All the best wishes from Nelson Bay, NSW, Australia.

[@xheralt]

That effin' Flowers....

[@roadie3124]

@@xheralt Yup. The one and only.

[@mariaemilianegron]

😢 in Florida we are used to this kind of events and I know exactly what this family is going through. May the Lord give you the strength that you need to surpass this

[@techman8817]

They would get plenty of support, even worldwide, with a gofundme.

[@Bodana63]

Go fund me is not the answer. They take too much profits for themselves. Should be set up directly to them.

[@jontukagam3888]

The GOP would strike that down n say Biden didn't help

[@jsshay01]

@@jontukagam3888My word! Biden could care less! Wake UP!

[@sarahlynn7894]

@jontukagam3888 You're a sad individual. Get a life!

[@MidnightWarrior1976]

@@jontukagam3888 Liberalism is a mental disorder. Biden will lose and you can relish in your new future with Trump ruling you.

[@debbiesantiago1243]

Prayers for these ppl in the floods in Minnesota

[@Emg2463]

a good example of learning how to hang on loosely to the things of this world.....they do not last....

[@williamzander4732]

Tornadoes and earthquakes and hurricanes and floods life is hard and you cant replace land that has value.

[@Catinbox123-ne4le]

so just beyond awful for them......may the community come together to help, maybe start a revolutionary rebuild. Praying for them and for miracles for them, strength through this anguish and recovery, healing.........just awful........please keep us updated though, WCCO and ways to help.

[@happybergner9832]

Such a sad situation. Please remember, you are all alive and well.

[@JOSEPHMATTHEWHOLLAND]

God Bless you guys from Western Kentucky❤🙏

[@hdtravel1]

Mother nature is a powerful force - be safe up there

[@Silvercrypto-xk4zy]

Praying for you guys. What a tragedy

[@plankface]

My heart breaks for them…that’s a big loss.

[@paulstecker5693]

I feel so bad for you people. I take care of a religious place. I like candles to pray for everyone out there. Gee Minnesota should give you land to build a new store and a new house on because this wasn't your fault. They should have done something with that damn a long time ago and this probably would have never happened. I feel so sorry for you people out there. I pray for you. Thank you and God bless.

[@Invisableme39]

I would talk to a lawyer to discuss liability, because my understanding is there was a question of stability of this damn? If this is a liable case, I would buy a lot down the road and rebuild.

[@CherylPerry-st7xo]

this is so heartbreaking.

[@dougward8692]

why doesnt the town or county bring in loads of big rocks and dump them in the river by the house and or store to maybe help stop some of the erosion ?

[@scottkinkead6324]

This should fall in the laps of the government Officials who knew the dam needed work for years and did nothing

[@nolongerblocked6210]

I've been watching the updates about this family for the last few days, since they first showed the water overtopping & going around the dam... but this is heartbreaking. They weren't even sure if they'd lose the home 3-4 days ago & now they're almost sure they'll lose everything. Just so tragic 😢😢

[@deborahwhit118]

That's life 😎

[@billybrown7953]

People lose everything, everyday, every where.

[@russellhixson1692]

The risks you take living on a moving body of water. Glad nobody was hurt in this incident.

[@patroberts5449]

Isn’t there any hope that the store could be quickly lifted and moved? Probably way to unsafe by now😟 so sorry

[@emjayc9584]

Prayers for you and your family ❤

[@kathrynsmithson9559]

So Sad. Someone with a house moving business should go help them move it to another location. Even if just till they can have a permanent place.

[@Derrick4Davidson]

Sending Prayers 🙏

[@brwnietter9681]

I will keep you in my prayers!

[@EnlightnMe48]

Just when people think they have earth all figured out she's not shy about reminding them over and over who's really in charge.

[@stevec404]

You are not alone.

[@1jeffheck]

Heartbreaking 😢😢

[@lauravastag8587]

How heartbreaking. I hope in time they can get a go fund me & maybe have a new start & create new memories 🥹💙🌎 I’m sending prayers & positive thoughts ur way from sweet South Carolina.

[@billybrown7953]

That's what insurance is for.

[@dewrus2153]

@@billybrown7953 - Yes...but in this case, insurance has already denied their claim. Insurance said it was caused by a landslide which isn't covered under their policy. So this family is getting nothing from insurance at this point. I generally don't like GFM but in this case, I'll support it. I'm sure this claim denial will be challenged. Even if they win, it will be years until they see a dime.

[@billybrown7953]

@@dewrus2153 Good ,when a hurricane takes out my place in Florida, I will contact you for a donation.

[@DPerez-tz8sj]

Get skids under that building & move it. It's possible to pull it away. Hurry. It's possible. It has to be jacked up & put on skids. I've seen this done before & even helped do it. Get an team of floor jacking professionals. Hurry!

[@DPerez-tz8sj]

It's not hopeless. It's a business. Get a loan. Move the building. Get someone to contract this quickly.

[@redhawk449]

Less than a century ago my ancestors lived along the Blue Earth river. It flooded then and washed out their farm and they moved away.

[@vg23air]

hey, why dont we dig out the other side of the dam (DAYS AGO) and divert the water to save the house and store ???

[@lisak3931]

Praying that God somehow turns this awful situation good for them. That somehow, their business and legacy will live on. My heart breaks for them and all affected by this devastation. 💔

[@Catinbox123-ne4le]

hope they can stop what is happening and memorialize the history in some new way.......despite these horrible losses.......and may the community come together again to assist, and with environmental concerns as well, all rebuild.....so saddening and tear --forming but may they find a way to overCOME.✊✊✊🤜🙏.

[@MartinScreeton]

Mother nature is always in control.... it's a higher power and we are not.

[@kwm123123]

While my heart hurts due to their loss, she is absolutely correct, "we are not in control." it needs to be added, "but God is in control. Prayers for this family and everyone is who is affected by this.

[@jimthomas1989]

Thats DAM sad !

[@rickywilliams8844]

You can build your memories somewhere else. You're young enough and stronger move on that will help you get through it. 😮

[@geekgee]

Tragic.

[@kathleenredick275]

I hope they are able to get their equilment and especially the mementos out.

[@vivian2217]

Is there any way to move their business to a different location on their property?

[@twrourke6557]

Great pie at the dam store. Terrible.

[@deborahwhit118]

Dam straight 😎😂

[@babbalonian2]

The pies floated by main and king only a few hours ago. The homeless were grabbing them.

[@ryanfitzpatrick3256]

My condolences. Godspeed.

[@619statelaw]

That sucks I hope the community helps them out. You know insurance is going to take forever to pay.

[@bigfoot163]

Yea they should SUE the county for EVERYTHING

[@babbalonian2]

Most of the county workers are getting paid to watch the dam fail, next is the bridge. Laziest generation ever.

[@leevahal900]

Technicnicaly they still own that part of the river and the land under it. If they want to build a new spillway on it they need to compensate them and purchase the property .

[@suewiseley2724]

those poor people. they're not doing anything to help them. the ground will continue to erode until they MOVE to do something! why don't they drop some rocks for now to try and divert the water away from the side so it doesn't hit it so hard? SOMETHING

[@danielcompton8325]

We're the go fund me for family. They really lost everything. I hope they can raise enough to buy more land close by and rebuild.

[@marywilliams341]

they need to find away to protect the shoreline after things are all calm. Put up some kind of barrier to protect it

[@suehowie152]

I am so sad fir this family 😢

[@RailPreserver2K]

Cant they move the store?

[@deanvoss7098]

It's unfortunate but now with insurance you just rebuild and make it better and move on it's all you can do

[@deborahwhit118]

Like everyone else 😎

[@dewrus2153]

They had insurance but their claim was already denied because the company said it was caused by a landslide which isn't covered under their policy. So this family is getting nothing from insurance at this point. I generally don't like GFM but in this case, I'll support it. I'm sure this claim denial will be challenged. Even if they win, it will be years until they see a dime.

[@cb2000a]

I hope they sue. Contrast this to Iceland where they don't give up.

[@babbalonian2]

This is a blue state, instead of working to save the dam, they put their heads together to come up with a great excuse. Probably racism, trump or climate change,

[@28105wsking]

My heart breaks for you! Sending you prayers and courage. You start again somewhere else. You have each other and that is the most important thing. Next time, don’t settle on a flood plain!

[@markbajek2541]

They're next to a failed dam, if that dam was in proper repair they. wouldn't have lost their home or business.,

[@vg23air]

The state and army corp of engineers COULD have placed CHAINED BAGS over the side days ago and prevented all of this land erosion. Theres a political reason why that did not happen :)

[@MrLiquidpoet]

Where can people donate to these fellow Americans?

[@DP-hy4vh]

They can sue the state of Minnesota since evidence is showing the dam wasn't properly maintained. They may have lost their home and store but will get millions in damages.

[@smithn.wesson495]

The State of Minnesota will not be the only state that gets sued for millions for not having proper flood plans, dams or bridges to handle this amount of water. There are going to be a lot more lawsuits in Iowa and South Dakota as well. If you think this is bad, look at what happened to McCook Lake South Dakota or Rock Rapids Iowa.

[@dewrus2153]

The dam was actually owned by the county.

[@smithn.wesson495]

@@dewrus2153 State...county.....different name, same result. There are going to be a hell of a lot of lawsuits being filed in Minnesota, South Dakota and Iowa - and rightfully so.

[@dewrus2153]

@@smithn.wesson495 - Agree there will be lawsuits. My comment was just to inform you they won't be coming from the state since it's the county's responsibility to maintain the safety of the dam. If there are many, I'm sure it will end up in litigation for years and people likely won't ever see a dime since the county could declare bankruptcy if multiple lawsuits are filed. It's a tragedy all the way around that I'm afraid many will never get compensated for someone else's negligence.

[@babbalonian2]

The county is responsible.

[@DPerez-tz8sj]

You can move the building. Contractors move buildings all the time. Move power lines first with the utility Company.

[@davecrupel2817]

Someone should start a fundraiser to help them with their expenses and with this tragedy. 😢

[@billybrown7953]

Why? They have insurance and if they didn't.... it's their fault. People have their own bills to worry about.

[@TA-kr1di]

When "water goes where it wants to go"..Is it one Water or many waters?

[@oldfarmer9004]

That’s sad. The river doesn’t care if we’re here. It just keeps on rolling.

[@Dub0r]

The county and state and quite frankly the government needs to come together and relocate this family with new land with a new house.

[@babbalonian2]

The county. Not the state.

[@freddied4194]

Building around water….no control of nature 😢

[@zaxpage9003]

It's unfortunate to lose your home to nature. Imagine how it must feel to lose your home to the government.

[@barbrice721]

Doesnt the state or Federal government have to repair and refortify the dam and surrounding area?

[@dewrus2153]

The dam wasn't federally owned...it belonged to the county. So they are on the hook for whatever mitigation is needed.

[@barbrice721]

@@dewrus2153Thanks.

[@babbalonian2]

@@dewrus2153 Good!

[@Itmakesyouthink]

Everyone believes everything is eternal, except where mother nature is concerned.

[@real100talk5]

Who is responsible for this? Someone didn't do their job.

[@babbalonian2]

SSShhh, it was caused by racism. Nothing else.

[@wisdomsleuth77777]

Please suggest Emergency Management use Lg dumpster bags fill w sand rapidly deploy water diversion/plug can place w crane / helicopter fill w backhoes

[@glam_goth6662]

Noooo! Not the Dam store!

[@ThirdEchelon111]

I'm curious about property tax. Is the local government working with them on this?

[@Rebirth602]

Building next to rivers is dumb. Building next to a dam is pure genius.

[@kassrripples3659]

Can it be put on a truck and moved?

[@josephauld6565]

What she meant to say was God is in control. He will do what He wants.

[@dion8962]

Pretty much symbolic of the entire country right now as everything comes crashing apart. Lets Go Brandon..Trillions for other countries while our country falls apart.

[@babbalonian2]

Just need an excuse, and the media. They can blame climate change or racism. Its a blue state, they'll believe anything.

[@BrewsterMcBrewster]

I don't understand why there isn't a logging machine or a crane working to get the debris cleared to ease the flow around the dam. How about lassoing some of those logs and dragging them out of there?? Did I miss the memo explaining why no one is doing this? Probably too late, should have been doing that at the beginning but too much hand wringing, videotaping and podcasting.

[@babbalonian2]

Common sense is 1 to 50 in these comments. Maybe thats the issue. Us here in Canada are just shocked over this.

[@BrewsterMcBrewster]

@@babbalonian2 Shocked how? In my old days, people banded together and rolled up their sleeves and saved the day. These days it all about boo hoo, poor us, but they're secretly saying: "If we cry loud enough to the internet, we will become richer than we can imagine". Sorry, pretty sardonic and cynical but there was literally no one even trying to remove that clogging debris that would have certainly eased the flow-around. I'm sure the owners will be compensated by the woke MN government if they are far enough left.

[@judykinsman3258]

This dam should have been removed years ago & this family would have their home & business today.

[@610annasinclair]

why dont they get a shipping contaner and the community get it out of reach of the river

[@wademills1616]

There is no reason the core is not dumping rip rap over the edge. Easily keep it from eroding. And you can see there not releasing from the dam anymore or as much. In my state we haul rock and don’t allow this to happen.

[@MNcreampied]

Where has God been through all of this?

[@stevewheeler9184]

is anyone setting up a go fund me for the people of the store or have they do it them selves

[@algeneadams4755]

Why can't they move on? Open the store in another place.

[@Lee-we8zr]

My question is, didn't Build Back Better money was supposed to prevent this?

[@declanmurphy6427]

Disrespect Mother Nature then Expect to Suffer 😢

[@khalfanihoward1826]

The worst is yet to Come 😂😂😂🫵

[@warrengee-f9l]

Who would have imagined a century ago when they moved those buildings out of the path of the dam that the river would return to claim them .... Condolences from Ontario .... Hoping it doesnt claim your store

[@ffjsb]

Anybody who's ever studied geology knows that rivers change.

[@Macgyver46]

Considering we have known for a long time living on any waters edge is dangerous, yeah they should have known. Survival 101, don't camp or make shelter to near any water.

[@WhiteRoseNeko]

I'm so sorry for their loss. It is devastating to loose your home in any manner. My heart goes out to the family.

[@JonnieRamal]

My great Uncle and Aunt George and Fern (Mendenhall) Eldrege owned the dam store for years and years and use to live upstairs There. Fern's brother Roy Mendenhall helped build the dam and was electrocuted while sweeping up down inside the dam. Let's pray the Dam Store stands

[@20PINKluvr]

Oh jeez thats a horrible way to go

[@lauragallagher8659]

God bless you sweetheart. I truly cannot imagine your loss, but I feel it and will pray for you and yours along with all who read this.

[@Beth11271]

My husband is a truck driver and has passed through and stayed in the area over the years. We are praying for your family and praying the store is saved.