Flooding closes Valleyfair coasters

[ECG]

Being forced to shut down three popular roller coasters is not exactly amusing for Minnesota's largest amusement park.
Valleyfair announced Wednesday that the Renegade, Excalibur and Thunder Canyon roller coasters have been shut down due to encroaching flood waters from the rain-swollen Minnesota River. Spokesperson Robin Stinnett says the three rides are the only ones that stretch outside the park's dike system.
Flooding has also impacted Valleyfair's main parking lot. Stinnett says another lot on the park's property is being utilized, as is part of the parking lot at nearby Canterbury Park. Free shuttles are being provided from that lot.
A note on the park's website is also asking customers to car pool if possible as close parking is limited.
Stinnett emphasizes that Valley Fair remains open for business, and that the three roller coasters will be reopened once water recedes and safety checks are performed. Updates will be made on Valleyfair's social media sites.

Source: http://www.kare11.com/story/weather...loses-3-valley-fair-roller-coasters/11359379/

 

[davidm]

Re: Flooding closes 3 Valleyfair coasters

Thunder Canyon is the rapids though, not a coaster - wonderful journalism there by Mr kare11!

Seems to be a not-unusual occurance though; especially if the rest of the park has specific flood defenses.

 

[rollermonkey]

Re: Flooding closes 3 Valleyfair coasters

This is pretty much an annual occurrence, or at least it happened the three years that I lived in MN. Typically the flood stage is past before the park opens for the year though, so that's a change.

And yeah, part of the park is protected by embankments. These three rides are outside the flood protection. When you go through the tunnel, you're passing through that flood wall.

...oh? This is from rain? Usually the flooding is from snowmelt. I guess that's new then.

 

[caffeine_demon]

Re: Flooding closes 3 Valleyfair coasters

Quick - let's post some bad reviews on tripadvisor!!