DULUTH, Minn. -- Citizens evacuated their properties and animals escaped from pens at a zoo as floods fed by a gradual torrential downpour struck northeastern Minnesota, inundating town of Duluth, officers stated Wednesday.

Police officials helped monitor down a polar undergo that were given out of its enclosure in a single day on the low-lying Lake Awesome Zoo the place a number of animals drowned.

Duluth Mayor Don Ness mentioned he could claim a state of emergency after the deluge of as much as nine inches of rain that he stated led to intensive harm to the port town of approximately 86,000. Ness mentioned the order might get started the method to procure federal help. Gov. Mark Dayton stated he may trip to Duluth on Thursday to speak about how the state might help.

Much of Duluth is unfold alongside a steep rocky hillside overlooking Lake Awesome so the water speeds downhill, sporting particles with it, Ness mentioned.

"There are for sure reviews of streets being washed out, however the extra vital issues are because the water comes over the ridge and begins speeding down the hill, overwhelming our hurricane gadgets, overwhelming our culvert system and growing that ahead momentum of speeding water," Ness stated. "THAT IS the place essentially the most vital issues are being felt."

The zoo lies on the foot of the hill, making it in particular inclined. A couple of sheep, goats and a donkey within the barnyard show off have been killed by the flooding, mentioned Susan Wolniakowski, director of visitor services and products. It additionally equipped a chance

for Berlin, a feminine polar bear, to flee.

"Even regardless that it is a massive white object, it is lovely nerve racking," police spokesman Jim Hansen mentioned of the chase for Berlin. Zoo officers stated she was tranquilized by the zoo's vet and positioned in quarantine.

Peter Pruett, the zoo's director of Animal Management, mentioned all of the" workforce is devastated" on the lack of the animals.

Two seals controlled to swim out of the zoo however had been briefly recaptured simply outdoor. Wolniakowski stated no bad animals left the zoo grounds and that every one was secured.

"I suppose it is more than likely been the worst flooding we have ever had on the zoo," Wolniakowski stated. The zoo's teach depot was totally underwater, she mentioned.

Ness stated extra rain was anticipated later Wednesday, and that it should take time for the wear to change into absolutely obvious. He mentioned the quantity of rain in a brief length places a major quantity of tension on sewer and highway methods.

"We're inquisitive about washouts and sinkholes and they're going to most likely display themselves within the coming days. ...A DISTANT The water is speeding so arduous that we are inquisitive about the integrity of the roadbeds being washed out," he stated.

Several best highways prime into the town have been closed due to the flooding and government inspired citizens to stick house as a result of quantity of status and speeding floods, and the trouble in recognizing risks beneath water, equivalent to lacking manhole covers.

"It's a multitude. There are too many intersections to even listing which might be closed," Hansen mentioned.

Authorities requested citizens of the low-lying Fond du Lac community to depart their houses due to the emerging stage of the St. Louis River. Hansen stated a few dozen houses had been evacuated.

"Fortunately ...A FAR OFF this can be a reasonably small selection of families which are being evacuated," Ness mentioned. "SO MUCH houses in Duluth are farther up the hill."

The Crimson Move opened shelters for evacuees. The College of Minnesota Duluth campus closed Wednesday however deliberate to reopen Thursday.

AP newshounds Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis and Gretchen Ehlke in Milwaukee contributed to this tale.