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Region deals with slippery roads, flooding
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MONROE - About 2 inches of snow fell on Green and Lafayette counties Thursday, causing several accidents and leaving vehicles in ditches throughout the area.

Meanwhile, the snow following a days-long melt of earlier snows, has led to a flood warning for the Sugar River near Brodhead.

Seven vehicle crashes were reported Thursday as a result of early-morning frost on the road and the snow which began later in the day. Four of the accidents resulted in injuries, including one which occurred around 9:45 p.m. that resulted in seven people taken to hospitals in Monroe and Freeport.

Seven people were injured in a two-vehicle accident around 9:45 p.m. Thursday on Wisconsin 69 near County P in Clarno township. Deputies report a vehicle driven by Juantino Aguilar, 23, Freeport, began to slide in the slush and snow, crossed the center line and hit a vehicle driven by Michael D. Cantrell, 46, Freeport. Cantrell and his passengers, Ruthy K. Cantrell, 13, Scott C. Longrie, 26, and Sherri A. Bonilla, 30, all of Freeport, as well as Aguilar and his passengers, Jose Oregel, 30 and Neveah Suess, 1, also of Freeport, were taken to hospitals in Freeport and Monroe. Aguilar and Oregel had to be extricated from the vehicle. Both vehicles received extensive damage and were towed.

Green County Chief Deputy Jeff Skatrud said there were five vehicles that went into ditches overnight in Green County.

Green County Highway Commissioner Dallas Cecil said highway crews were out Thursday and again this morning. Cecil said the roads were in good shape by mid-morning today.

Lafayette County Highway Supervisor Buzz Peterson said road crews were out by 4 a.m. and most roads in Lafayette County were in "pretty good shape" by 9:30 a.m.

The Lafayette County Sheriff's Department reported that numerous vehicles went into ditches due to slippery road conditions.

Peterson said people need to slow down and give themselves more time to avoid crashes.

The melting snow from earlier in the week and the fresh snow led to the National Weather Service (NWS) to extend the flood warning for the Sugar River near Brodhead until Saturday morning.

The NWS reported the river is at 5.8 feet and the flood stage for the river is 5 feet. Minor flooding was reported in the area near the river.

The NWS forecast calls for scattered flurries tonight and a 30 percent chance for snow Saturday during the day and a 40 percent chance for snow Saturday night. There is a 30 percent chance of snow Sunday. Temperatures are expected to be in the lower 30s during the day and drop to the low 20s at night.