Flooding in the Devils Lake region of North Dakota has shut down Amtrak between St. Paul and Spokane, Wash.
Amtrak said Wednesday that two bridges are threatened by rising water in the Devils Lake basin. The depot in Minot, N.D., was closed after water flooded the basement.
Amtrak has canceled service through today in North Dakota, Montana, Idaho and Minnesota, except in St. Paul, spokesman Marc Magliari said.
Amtrak issued a statement Wednesday saying Empire Builder originations of eastbound trains from Portland and Seattle have been suspended through Sunday.
Trains will continue to run between Chicago and St. Paul; chartered motor coaches will carry passengers between Spokane, Wash., and Portland and Seattle.
Amtrak is refunding fares for canceled service. Tickets hold their cash value for a year, Magliari said.
BNSF Railway owns the tracks on which Amtrak's Empire Builder line runs. BNSF issued a statement Wednesday that said it is rerouting cargo trains as needed; some service may be delayed.
In 2009, Amtrak service between St. Paul and Minot was stalled by flooding for about a week.
St. Cloud consistently ranks third in usage among Minnesota stations behind the Twin Cities.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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