By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Forecasted heavy rains spark area flood warnings
Placeholder Image
MONROE - A flood warning has been issued for portions of Green and Lafayette counties.

The National Weather Service (NWS) Monday morning issued the warning for the Sugar River at Brodhead and the Pecatonica River at Blanchardville and Martintown.

According to the NWS, "Periods of rain and thunderstorms are expected with 1 to 2 inches of rain likely. Some areas could get as much as 4 inches of rain."

Across the area, the NWS predicts a 100 percent chance of precipitation tonight, most of it rain but some snow likely as temperatures drop to around freezing. The snow is expected to end by 1 p.m. Tuesday.

Temperatures tomorrow are expected to be in the high 30s with temperatures in the high 40s for the rest of the week.

The heavy rains and the fact the ground is saturated due to melting snow could flood rivers, creeks and streams.

"In addition, the heavy rainfall could produce flooding in urban areas during the afternoon and evening. Thunderstorms repeatedly affecting the same area could produce flash flooding as well," the NWS Web site states.

Tanna McKeon, project manager at the Green County Emergency Management, said the Sugar River is expected to rise to 8 feet by Wednesday. Flood stage for the river is 5.5 feet. The river is expected to be down to 5 feet by April 5.

The flood warning for the Sugar River starts Tuesday morning and lasts until Saturday afternoon.

A two-year flood on the Sugar River is 7.4 feet. At 8 feet, floodwaters are over County T in Rock County. A flood of this level can be considered between a two-year and five-year flood.

McKeon said the Pecatonica River in Martintown is close to 13 feet high with the flood stage at 13.5 feet. The river is expected to rise to 17.5 feet within the next few days before going back down.

A two-year flood on the Pecatonica River is 16.2 feet. At 17.5 feet, Illinois 73 is flooded in Winslow.

The warning for the Pecatonica at Martintown starts Tuesday morning and is until further notice.

The Pecatonica River at Blanchardville was at 7.4 feet at 8:30 Monday morning. Flood stage is 11 feet. The river is expected to reach flood stage around 7 a.m. Tuesday and crest at 13.5 feet around 1 a.m. Wednesday.

The flood warning for the Pecatonica at Blanchardville starts Tuesday morning and lasts until late Wednesday night.

Across Wisconsin, a winter storm warning has been issued for the northernmost counties of the state, which could receive anywhere from four to 11 of inches of snow Monday.

Portions of west-central Wisconsin could get 6 to 9 inches of snowfall that could turn to sleet in the afternoon.

Meteorologists say the Fox River in Kenosha County and Rock River in Jefferson County are approaching their flood stages.