By RALPH ANSAMI
Ironwood - Record rainfall for the 24-hour period to 7 a.m. Wednesday has sent Ironwood's 2018 precipitation total to nearly 11 inches above average.
A total of 2.33 inches fell at the Gogebic-Iron Wastewater Treatment Plant off Cloverland Drive, setting an Oct. 10 record covering the past 117 years.
At 2:20 a.m. Wednesday, wastewater that had not received full treatment was being released into the Montreal River to prevent sewage backups into homes. A notice from the wastewater authority noted the ground is saturated following two days of continuous rain.
Many residential yards in low-lying areas have turned to small ponds with all of the rain.
The monthly rainfall total on Wednesday morning stood at around 4 inches, compared with the 117-year average of 1.37 inches.
The forecast doesn't call for much relief, with a chance of snow today and continued cold readings.
Saturday will be partly cloudy, with a high of 44, but that will be followed by the possibility of 1 to 3 inches of snow on Sunday.
For the year, 38.15 inches of precipitation has fallen in Ironwood, compared to the long-term average of 27.61 inches. The record is 44.11 inches up to this date in a soggy 2013.
The average temperature of 43.2 degrees is below the 117-year average of 43.7 degrees, according to records compiled by the National Weather Service office in Marquette.
The Iron County Forestry Department said roads and trails were covered by water and they advised there could be hazardous wash-outs.
In Duluth, powerful winds whipped up big waves along the shores of Lake Superior, flooding a business district and causing power outages, the Associated Press reported.
The NWS said winds of 64 mph were reported at the Duluth harbor Wednesday, creating waves as high as 14 to 18 feet.
The Canal Park business district near the lake flooded and the city closed Canal Park Drive until further notice. City officials urged residents to stay away from the lakeshore.
Service was out for about 1,700 Minnesota Power customers in the Duluth area.
The weather service issued a lakeshore flooding warning until 4 p.m. Wednesday for Duluth, Superior and Ashland,
In northern Minnesota, rain was changing to snow, with accumulations of at least 6 inches expected by early today.