[WIham] Fw: SKYWARN: West Central Flooding #3

[Mark Thompson]

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Milw Area Skywarn Assoc <svoros at execpc.com>
Sent: Thu, September 23, 2010 7:13:57 PM
Subject: SKYWARN: West Central Flooding #3


Contact: Lori Getter 
(608) 242-3239 

News: Situation Report #3 on Severe Weather 
Date: September 23, 2010 - 16:00 
Storms continue to cause flooding problems. The National Weather Service (NWS) 
reports that storms will continue to move across west central, northern and 
northeastern Wisconsin through the rest of the afternoon and evening. However, 
the NWS stated they anticipate lighter showers with 1-2 additional inches. 
Storms could also move across southern Wisconsin bringing strong winds. 

Several rivers and creeks are running high. The NWS has issued a flood watch for 
the Wisconsin River at Portage. Officials expect minor to major flooding in the 
area this weekend. 

The State Emergency Operations Center remains activated and is monitoring the 
storms and the flooding. Earlier today, Gov. Jim Doyle declared a State of 
Emergency for Trempealeau County. There have been no reports of injuries. 

National Guard - The Wisconsin National Guard sent two 5-ton trucks, one Light 
Medium Tactical Vehicle, one Humvee and a heavy equipment wrecker along with 12 
personnel, four cases of MREs and 120 gallons of potable water to Arcadia. Guard 
members were assisting local law enforcement operate three traffic checkpoints 
and escort families to their homes if needed. Most of the Soldiers were sent 
from an Army National Guard field maintenance shop in Eau Claire. 

Department of Natural Resources - DNR has put the "Coping with Flooding" web 
link on the current events section on our main page. This is in response to 
questions that have started to come in related to flooding and water supplies. 
The link is: 
http://links.govdelivery.com:80/track?type=click&enid=bWFpbGluZ2lkPTEwMTI1NDQmbWVzc2FnZWlkPVBSRC1CVUwtMTAxMjU0NCZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTEyNzY2MjgwNTYmZW1haWxpZD1zdm9yb3NAZXhlY3BjLmNvbSZ1c2VyaWQ9c3Zvcm9zQGV4ZWNwYy5jb20mZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&101&&&http://dnr.wi.gov/emergency/flood/cope.html
 
Portage Levee - Base on expected increasing water levels on the Wisconsin River 
at Portage, DNR anticipates activating the Incident Command team for the Portage 
Levee. Manual Code (MC) requires twice daily inspections of the levee system and 
morning reports when water levels at the Portage gauging station reach 17.4 
feet. These daily monitorings are expected to start on Saturday Sept. 25. MC 
requires 24-hour surveillance and Incident Command Operations when water levels 
at Portage gauging station reach 19.4 feet. They plan to meet with Columbia 
County officials on Friday. 

Hatfield Dam - North American Hydro has activated their Emergency Action Plan at 
the Hatfield Dam in Jackson County. They are at a "yellow alert condition." This 
does NOT mean there is a problem with the dam. It indicates that the flows at 
the dam are high enough that they need to take action at the dam to prevent 
problems. Operation of the dam under these conditions will likely cause flooding 
in low lying areas downstream. Dam operators are taking necessary actions to 
safely pass the current flows on the Black River. 

Other Dams in Jackson and Trempealeau Counties - Blair Dam is operating though 
water is also bypassing around the dam and over Highway 95. This has happened in 
past flooding events. The situation is being monitored by the community. 

Pigeon Falls Dam did overtop during the night when heavy rains caused the river 
to elevate quickly. The dam was fully opened and the pond is now being held 
below the normal water level. There was some damage to the dam and the operator 
is monitoring the situation. 

Below is an update of damage: 
Trempealeau County: The situation remains unchanged in Arcadia. The Red Cross 
continues to assist 30 flood evacuees at the shelter at the Arcadia National 
Guard Armony. The Department of Military Affairs - Regional Emergency 
All-Climate Training Center (REACT) delivered 20,000 sandbags and a sandbagging 
machine to Arcadia. In Blair, local officials report flooding along Highway 95. 
Local fire departments are filling sandbags. 

Clark County: Clark County Emergency Operations Center is activated and the 
county has declared a local State of Emergency. Three bridges are underwater and 
an additional bridge is also closed. Officials are reporting over $580,000 in 
public sector damage. Clark County has requested 10,000 sandbags from the state. 

Buffalo County: Buffalo County has declared a local State of Emergency as a 
precaution. State Highway 88 remains closed in both directions. 

Brown County: Brown County is reporting some road and creek flooding Outagamie 
County: Localized flooding. Emergency Management officials are monitoring the 
Village of Black Creek and parts of the Fox Valley 

Waupaca County: One county park is closed due to flooding. Some roads are 
closed. Minor basement flooding is reported in Clintonville and Marion 

Winnebago County: Correction: Winnebago County does not have any flooding 
Monroe County: Minor road washouts on County highways G, U, Z and O 
Marathon County: Minor flooding reported. Several roads are closed 
Jackson County: Reports of at least 10 roads flooded 
Portage County: Minor flooding with some road closures in Stevens Point 
Shawano County: Several roads are closed due to flooding 
Wood County: Several roads remain closed 
Pierce County: Several roads are closed 
Vernon County: Highway 33 near Ontario and Highway 162 near Chaseburg are closed 

Eau Claire County: The city of Eau Claire is reporting some minor flooding. 
There was a mudslide on Highway 53 northbound just south of the Chippewa County 
line; but crews have been able to reopen one lane. 

Chippewa County: Officials are monitoring the Chippewa River. They anticipate 
the river to rise tomorrow. County F & N south of Wheaton are closed. The 
Canadian National Railroad is closing due to roads underwater. They expect it to 
be a temporary closure. 

The State Emergency Operations Center will remain open. Wisconsin Emergency 
Management, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, State Patrol, Wisconsin 
National Guard and Wisconsin Department of Health Services are in the EOC. 

For further information, contact Wisconsin Emergency Management at 608-242-3292. 

- 30 -