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Heavy rains pounded Winona last Thursday, and yards, streets, and creeks flooded through the city.

Approximately 5 p.m. on Thursday, a storm cell dropped an inch-and-a-half of rain on the city in just 45 minutes. Sterling Street, Fairground, Grant Street, Quitman Street and others saw heavy flooding in low areas, and residents braced as flood waters came dangerously near homes.

"I have been working here since 1980 and I have never seen it flood that bad," said Patricia Currington, Winona Water Department director.

According to Frank Faulkner with the Winona Water Department, from January 1 to May 1, Winona received 12 inches of rain. However, from May 1 to May 12, another foot of rain fell on the drenched community.

City crews responded to the emergency by assisting residents, blocking streets, and removing debris from drains and drainage ditches.

Flood waters entered only one house in the city, on Quitman Street, but it is currently vacant. Officials also said no one reported damage from winds or downed trees.

Just north of the railroad tracks, a portion of Sterling Street collapsed, but officials are unsure of the cause of the failure.

"We really don't know what caused the collapse," Currington said. "Heavy rains could have undermined the street, or a water main could have had a leak and weakened the road."

Due to the collapse, a water main was broken and additional water spewed the already flooded Sterling Street. City workers were able to replace the main, dating back to 1904, and no one in the area lost water, Currington said.

Winona Road Department director Ricky Thompson said repairing the collapsed road is put on hold until the rain lets up.

"We hope the citizens will be patient with us," Thompson said. "We are working on all the roads every day."

Thompson said his crews are repairing rain-weakened roads on College and Jones Streets and installing a new storm system at Alberta and Tyler Holmes Drive.

"The current storm system is not equipped for that much water," Thompson said. "There isn't much we can do with Sterling Street except keep it cleaned out so we can manage it.

Thompson said his crews are currently concentrating on street repair and removing debris from culverts.

Mayor Jerry Flowers said repairing the roads and culverts are top priority, and the city has funds budgeted for such repairs.

He also commended his Water and Sewer Departments, Road Department, Police Department, and Fire Department for their efforts in dealing with Thursday night's flooding.

"I can't express how proud I am of our people and how they respond to emergencies," Flowers said. "I am proud of how they work together, and that unity keeps us going in the right direction."