Though it’s probably too late to sign up for flood insurance in time for any potential flooding this year in the Albert Lea area, the National Weather Service is advising people living immediately along creeks, rivers and lakes to start preparing for flooding.

National Weather Service meteorologist Chris Franks, of the Chanhassen bureau, on Friday said many local creeks and rivers have probably seen rises in levels of a couple feet so far — depending on the size of the body of water, it may only be a foot or two, but in some cases people have seen rises in 4, 5 or 6 feet in the last 24 hours.

With 48 to 72 hours of heavy melting, Franks said it typically takes a couple of days to respond.

Albert Lea is not under a flood warning, though the neighboring community of Austin is. The Mississippi River in St. Paul is also expected to reach flood stage on Thursday, Frank said.

He anticipated people could continue to see rises in the next four or five days, though those rises will be slowed because temperatures are expected to reach below zero Wednesday and Thursday.

“This time of year it’s a brief shot of cold and then back in the 40s again,” Franks said.

Today is expected to be sunny with rain likely overnight, according to the National Weather Service. Tuesday is expected to bring more rain with showers likely overnight. Wednesday will bring a chance of rain or snow.

Albert Lea City Engineer Steve Jahnke said Friday afternoon he thought Albert Lea would be in good shape unless it got a big rain event, of at least 2 to 3 inches.

“I think people are concerned about it,” State Farm Insurance Agent Nancy VanderWaerdt said.

She noted within the last month, there had been a handful of people who have signed up for flood insurance through her agency.

The challenge, she said, is that there’s a 30-day waiting period for the insurance to begin since it is part of a federal program.

She and Americana Insurance agent Tom Sorenson said flood insurance is not as expensive as what people think — typically between 300 and 500 a year.

It is purchased separately from a normal homeowner’s insurance policy. People can purchase flood insurance for structures or for personal property, though personal property is not covered in basements unless its a furnace, air conditioner, washer, dryer or freezer, Sorenson added.

Sewer backup is a separate endorsement under the homeowner’s policy.

He said the maximum amount a person can purchase on a structure is $250,000; the maximum on personal property is $100,000.