By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Local rivers not backing down
4029a.jpg
Times photo: Brenda Steurer Water still could be found in the sand traps Tuesday at Monroe Country Club. Flood waters continue to rise along the Sugar and Pecatonica rivers in Green and Lafayette counties, and flooding is expected to continue until the end of the week.

Cleanup Tips

Safety tips from the Better Business Bureau to help people who are cleaning up after flooding:

1. Do not use electrical appliances that have been wet. An electrician should check the house wiring and appliances to make sure they are safe.

2. Have gas appliances inspected after flooding. Gas control valves, circuit breakers and fuses that were under water should be replaced.

3. Keep medicines and chemicals away from children while cleaning up after a flood.

MONROE - Flood waters are expected to rise until the end of week along the Sugar and Pecatonica rivers.

The National Weather Service (NWS) reported the Sugar River near Brodhead was at 7.39 feet as of 4:15 a.m. Wednesday, more than two feet above flood stage, causing "widespread agricultural and lowland flooding in the Brodhead area."

A flood warning continues for the Sugar River until late Friday.

The Pecatonica River at Martintown was at 16.22 feet as of 4 a.m. Wednesday. Flood stage is 13.5 feet.

On the river at Blanchardville, flood waters were at 15.15 feet as of 4 a.m. Wednesday. Flood stage is 13.5 feet.

The NWS expects the river to rise to more than 17 feet by Thursday morning. The warning continues through Tuesday morning.

Flooding has forced changes to events planned this weekend in Lafayette County.

The county's Dairy Breakfast was scheduled to take place at the county fairgrounds in Darlington. On Tuesday, the event's committee voted to move the breakfast to the Lafayette County Highway Department shop.

"There's about 3 feet of water at the fairgrounds," Kerry Gratz, breakfast secretary, said Tuesday.

Activities will remain the same, she said.

Changes also were made to this weekend's Darlington's Canoefest. There won't be a carnival this year, and the softball tournament and fun run still will be this weekend, but times and locations are yet to be announced.

Standing water has started to recede in some areas.

The Monroe Country Club had standing water at the course Monday, but by Tuesday it began to dry out, assistant golf professional Brian Jensen said.

"We have some areas of standing water, but we're trying to keep it open for people who want to walk the greens," he said. Driving a golf cart on the course still is a little difficult, as the ground remains wet.

According to Green County Sheriff Randy Roderick, County E remains closed near Brodhead because of water across the road. Roderick said water has receded off County T, south of Brodhead. Decatur-Sylvester Road and Prairie Road in Decatur township also were open Tuesday.

The Lafayette Highway Department reported that County K near Gratiot and County H by Blanchardville still were closed Tuesday due to water across the roads.

Gov. Jim Doyle on Sunday declared a state of emergency for 29 counties in Wisconsin, including Green and Lafayette, following severe storms last weekend.

The NWS forecasts a 20 percent chance of rain today and tonight, and a 70 percent chance of rain Thursday and Thursday night.