All washed up

Kirk Fratzke, communications coordinator for RTP Co. of Winona, Minn., took this photo outside an apartment building in Winona. Winona and several surrounding counties were deluged with about 17 inches of rain in a 24-hour period between Aug. 19 and 20. The heavy rain caused extensive flooding and even mudslides in some parts of the area, which is near the Mississippi River. RTP's own compounding plant is adjacent to the river, but production at the site was unaffected. RTP spokeswoman Christin Ruge said 10 percent of the firm's 400 workers were not able to make it to work Aug. 20 because of road damage or damage to their homes. Officials at the firm have opened a fund to assist employees affected by the extreme weather.