More on the way?

Thunderstorms with heavy rain stayed south of the area last night, but the flash flood watch continues through this evening due to the threat of more storms moving across the area later this morning and this afternoon. An area of rain and storms is moving northeast across Iowa, and could reach southern Wisconsin by noon. After that, another complex of storms may develop across southern Iowa and move toward Wisconsin again. This is far from certain, as the atmosphere is so muddled right now that it is difficult to tell how any storm complexes will behave with any degree of certainty.

According to the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center, southwestern Wisconsin is at a moderate to high risk of receiving excessive rainfall today (the kind that can cause flash flooding). Also, the Storm Prediction Center has most of southern Wisconsin under a moderate risk for severe thunderstorms today, mostly in the form of damaging winds. This area is just barely south and east of Vernon County, but does appear to include Crawford, Grant and Richland counties. The rest of western Wisconsin and adjacent parts of Minnesota and Iowa are still under a slight risk.

The ground is still completely saturated and rivers are running high, so any additional rainfall, even an inch, could quickly lead to more flash flooding. Storms may linger into Friday, but the weekend should be dry, with the next chance of rain then arriving by about next Tuesday.

More Storms, More Flooding

Severe thunderstorms moved across Vernon County early this morning, causing some widespread wind damage and more flooding. Rainfall amounts were less this time, generally one to three inches, but rainfall rates were higher, and in some places water levels were higher than they were Saturday night. The Kickapoo River at La Farge rose quickly from a level of about 6 feet to 11.4 feet overnight, and has since fallen to about 10.8 feet. There were more washouts on area roads due to the rapid runoff. The ground is fully saturated, and cannot possibly handle any more moisture. More storms and heavy rain are in the forecast for tonight through Thursday night. Storms have already developed over western Iowa, and I'm watching these closely to see if they approach southwestern Wisconsin this afternoon. A flash flood watch is in effect through tomorrow morning.

Widespread significant flooding continues

Thunderstorms with heavy rain last night resulted in deadly flash flooding across the region. Rainfall totals were generally 4 to 10 inches, with some isolated higher amounts. There have been 7 confirmed fatalities (5 in Winona County and 2 in Houston County.) The Kickapoo River is above flood stage in La Farge and downstream. It is expected to crest at 12.8 feet later today in La Farge and then fall below flood stage by tomorrow. At Gays Mills, record flooding is predicted, with a crest of 20 feet--higher than the infamous flood of 1978. The Seasbranch dam between Viroqua and Avalanche is reportedly leaking, and residents below that and other dams throughout the county have been told to evacuate. Several towns in Winona and Houston counties in Minnesota have also been evacuated.

Some specific rainfall totals include 6.00 inches in La Farge, 11.75 inches near Stoddard, 10.95 inches near La Crosse, 9.23 inches in Viroqua, 7.86 inches in Viola, 7.17 inches near Westby, 6.40 inches near Valley, and 5.40 inches in Ontario. Follow the link below for the latest rainfall totals and damage reports from the National Weather Service:

http://www.weather.gov/view/prodsByState.php?state=WI&prodtype=public

The flash flood watch continues through this evening, but may have to be extended in some places. Thunderstorms have once again developed over southern Minnesota, and are poised to move across some of the same areas that got heavy rain and extreme flooding last night.