Community Corner
Days of Rain Lead to Flooding, Road Closures, Sewage Dumping
Flood watches and warnings are in effect throughout Southeastern Wisconsin, some lasting until Friday. Officials are keeping watch on area rivers as they continue to rise, approaching or surpassing flood stages.
The rain that just keeps coming is causing trouble throughout the Milwaukee area, from to sewage dumping.
JSOnline has a roundup of road closures throughout the Milwaukee area. Travel Midwest has a congestion map that shows incidents and traffic speeds in the Milwaukee area.
The Flood Watch for Southeastern Wisconsin through 9 p.m. Thursday evening and rainfall is expected to reach 4 inches in some areas. According to the Emergency Services Department, rivers will rise reaching a number of flood stages. Rivers that are already in flood stage will worsen, rising into moderate and major flood levels.
Find out what's happening in Waukeshawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Officials are watching the Rock, Fox, Root and Milwaukee Rivers as localized flooding caused concerns last week. The ground may be thawed, but is still saturated, and the water can't soak in.
Recent updates:
Find out what's happening in Waukeshawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
- Rain forced the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District last week to dump raw sewage mixed with rainwater into local rivers and on to Lake Michigan to prevent flooding in homes, reported Patch media partners WISN 12.
- The National Weather Service has issued also a Flood Warning for the Oak Creek in South Milwaukee. The flood stage of 8.0 feet was reached as of 8:10 a.m.
- As of 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Root River in Franklin has reached a stage of 8.6 feet, nearly a foot above flood stage. At 8 feet water can spread into parks and lowland areas. The river will continue to rise near 9.1 feet after midnight tomorrow. The river will fall below flood stage early Saturday morning. At 9 feet there can be a 20 percent chance flood.
- Milwaukee river near Cedarburg is being monitored as it's at a 9.7 feet stage. Flood stage is 11.0 feet. The forecast indicates the river will reach 11.7 feet by Saturday morning.
- Root River in Racine is expected to rise through Friday morning to 7.5 feet. Flood stage is 7 feet. Waters should begin to recede Friday afternoon. The Root River Canal in Raymond is already at flood stage.
- A sewer line is blocked or collapsed in Bayside, which resulted in a sewerage backup into a garden center on Brown Deer Road, reported WISN 12.
- Racine County has issued a declaration of emergency Thursday due to heavy rains and the potential for dangerous flooding, reported WISN 12.
To keep up with the changing conditions by county, click below:
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