MONROE — The celebrations for the Fourth of July were cut short for many municipalities in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois this year. Bands of heavy rains, high winds and frequent lightning battered the region on July 4 and 5.

Many farmers wanted a good rain for their crops, given the slightly lower than usual precipitation numbers in June, but Mother Nature dumped rain by the buckets to open July. 

Between July 4 and 5, Monroe received 5.63 inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service. That was more than the 3.35 inches total for all of June. The 20-year average for June in the city is approximately 5.41 inches. 

On July 5 alone, Brodhead received 3.61 inches, Monticello 3.19, New Glarus 3.07, Monroe 2.73, Argyle 2.42 and Darlington 1.79.

Multiple severe thunderstorm warnings were issued, as well as flood adversaries and flash flood warnings. By 9 a.m. on July 6, water levels on the Pecatonica River in Blanchardville were up by more than a foot, while down river at Darlington, levels were up almost three feet and in Martintown, levels were up almost five feet. The Sugar River in Brodhead was up almost a foot and a half.

While even more rain was predicted to fall between Wednesday and Saturday, river levels were expected to top out at approximately 9.8 feet on the Pecatonica at Martintown on July 6 before fading to normal levels around six feet within a week, according to the National Weather Service’s Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service.

Other areas hit by the storms lost power, while trees were knocked down across roadways or lit on fire from lightning strikes. Localized flooding temporarily closed several roads and highways. On July 4, Monroe paused its Independence Day celebrations for a mid-day set of storms, then moved up the time of the fireworks display by more than a half an hour. Just a few minutes after the conclusion of the fireworks display, the city was hit by torrential downpours of an incoming storm that had flickered and rumbled for almost an hour.

Monroe Alderperson Josh Binger was thankful to city and event staff for not only hosting the day-long event, but adjusting on the fly to get the fireworks in and the crowds home safely.

“First, I want to say great job to Josh (Trame), the Parks (Department), the police department — everybody got in the Fourth of July festivities yesterday right before the rain hit,” Binger said. “I heard nothing but good things about the activities during the day. I think events like that are just such a great thing to have in our community and it’s something that we take pride in investing in. My mother-in-law is not from here, and so she sees events like this and is just wowed by the response. It makes me proud to be in Monroe.”

Green County Emergency Management asked the public immediately to report “significant damages” after the storm, which included 5 or more inches of water in a basement, damaged roofs, buildings down or similar occurrences. 

On July 7, GCEM posted on Facebook that there would be no financial assistance available, but thanked those that submitted damage reports.

“Thank you to all who have reported damages from the recent storm. Unfortunately there will not be any financial assistance for any damages that were incurred from it. If you had water in your basement be sure to remove items that are wet and make sure they thoroughly dry out. Wash the floors and walls with a bleach solution to prevent mold from growing,” GCMS wrote in the social media post.