Several counties in Minnesota and Wisconsin are currently experiencing flood conditions due to ongoing rainfall in the area.
What You Need To Know
- Wisconsin’s northwestern neighbors are now seeing major flooding. Concern is now creeping into parts of Wisconsin along the Mississippi River where water levels are high and continuing to rise
- As of Tuesday afternoon, the NWS forecast showed the river was still climbing in La Crosse and would likely crest at some point Wednesday at around 15-feet, which is roughly six inches below major flood stage
- Just south of La Crosse, in Vernon County, emergency management said its biggest concern is what more rain will do to the Mississippi
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- Wisconsin’s northwestern neighbors are now seeing major flooding. Concern is now creeping into parts of Wisconsin along the Mississippi River where water levels are high and continuing to rise
- As of Tuesday afternoon, the NWS forecast showed the river was still climbing in La Crosse and would likely crest at some point Wednesday at around 15-feet, which is roughly six inches below major flood stage
- Just south of La Crosse, in Vernon County, emergency management said its biggest concern is what more rain will do to the Mississippi
During the weekend, many regions in Minnesota were on high alert due to the continuous rise of flood levels caused by days of unrelenting rain.
As we speak, major flooding has engulfed the Northwestern regions neighboring Wisconsin. The rising water levels along the Mississippi River have sparked concerns in some parts of Wisconsin, as they continue to surge.
Flooding near the waterways in Hudson, Wis., is already affecting numerous businesses and homes.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the Mississippi River has reached its highest point upriver in Minnesota and is now receding in St. Paul and Red Wing. The latest data shows that river levels have crested and are gradually decreasing.
As of Tuesday afternoon, La Crosse was still experiencing a rise in the river’s water level. The NWS forecast predicts that the river will reach its peak on Wednesday, with an estimated height of 15-feet. This is just six inches below the major flood stage.
Emergency management officials in Vernon County, located just south of La Crosse, are closely monitoring the impact of further rainfall on the Mississippi River.
Brandon Larson from Vernon County emergency management stated that they are closely monitoring the weather forecast for the next week. They are in touch with the weather service and their hydrologist to stay updated on the predictions and the situation up north. The team is also staying in touch with the fire departments along the Mississippi to ensure preparedness for any potential challenges.
As the holiday weekend is just around the corner, Larson advises that everyone must take caution while venturing out on the water.
According to him, the current situation is a lot more perilous than usual. He emphasized that the water flow is much faster, and the force of the current can swiftly take you away. He also mentioned that the current river levels are not what you would normally expect, making it even more dangerous.
As we approach the holiday weekend, the amount of rain yet to come along the Mississippi River is uncertain. The situation demands patience as we wait to see how much more precipitation will arrive.