MONROE — Nearly one year after heavy rains resulted in rare fall flooding throughout Southwest Wisconsin, last week brought a round of repeat downpours.

The National Weather Service issued flash flood and flood warnings Sept. 12 and through the weekend due to the heavy rains in such places as the Grant and Platte rivers in Grant County, and the Pecatonica River and its East Branch in Lafayette County. According to the National Weather Service Sullivan office, official rainfall amounts between early Sept. 10 and early Friday were as high as 4.34 inches in Platteville, 2.35 inches in Darlington, and 1.82 inches in Monroe.

Some of the most notable damage was in southern Lafayette County, where the Lafayette County I Kelsey Branch bridge south of New Diggings is closed after a large chunk of the northern approach to the bridge caved in. 

“It moved all of the riprap that was protecting this abutment downstream 150 feet and left a gaping hole in the approach on the southbound lane,” said Lafayette County Highway Commissioner Tom Jean. The bridge itself was inspected and is in good condition, Jean said.

Water was reported over roads in several areas. Three bridges in Belmont were under water Thursday night. Wisconsin 126 was closed at County XX in Lafayette County on Belmont’s south side. Anyone with residential flooding or storm damage should report it by contacting Steve Braun, director of Grant County Emergency Management, at sbraun@co.grant.wi.gov, 608-723-7171.