Millions in flood damage, millions of gallons of sewer overflows in Racine, Walworth, Kenosha counties

Torrential rains and widespread flooding across southeastern Wisconsin last week caused millions of dollars worth of damage to homes, roads and bridges in Racine, Walworth and Kenosha counties, state emergency government officials said.

Sanitary sewer overflows were reported by 15 communities in the three counties as heavy rainfall of up to 8 inches on July 12 quickly filled basements, private sewer laterals and then street sewers before overwhelming pumping stations, municipal officials said in reports to state environmental officials.

In one of seven overflows reported that day by the City of Kenosha, crews pumped more than 37.8 million gallons of untreated wastewater out of a sanitary sewer manhole on 43rd St. to a storm sewer that drained to Lake Michigan.

The emergency measure was necessary to prevent backups of sewage into basements of residences and businesses in the community, Wastewater Treatment Director Katrina Karow said.

As communities in the southeast region continued cleanup and repair efforts Thursday, a few western counties were dealing with flooding caused by heavy, overnight rains.

Several hundred people in Arcadia, in Trempealeau County, voluntarily evacuated from their homes early Thursday as Turton Creek poured over its banks. Road flooding was reported in Vernon and Buffalo counties.

On Thursday, the Red Cross announced it had opened shelters in Arcadia, Galesville, Sparta and La Crosse.

Racine County last week was slammed with $17.5 million in damage, according to preliminary estimates provided to the Wisconsin Emergency Operations Center in Madison.

Damage assessments are continuing but Racine County's early estimates include $12.4 million in damage to 2,292 homes, $1.2 million in damage to 22 businesses, and $3.9 million in damage to roads, bridges, dams and other public infrastructure.

The state Department of Natural Resources ordered Burlington to draw down water levels in Echo Lake after flood waters caused significant erosion of the east abutment next to the lake's dam. The dam is not at risk of failing but a city consultant will inspect the structure, DNR officials said.

The Burlington sewage treatment plant reported rainfall of 8 inches on July 12 that overwhelmed the capacity of three sanitary sewer pumping stations.

More than 16.7 million gallons of untreated wastewater overflowed to the Fox River from July 12 to 16, wastewater foreman Donald Hefty said in reports to the DNR.

Walworth County's early damage total of $6.6 million included $3 million in damage to 175 homes; $1 million in damage to 10 businesses; and $2.6 million in damage to roads, bridges and dams.

Kenosha County reported $1.7 million in damage to roads and bridges but had not provided estimates for damage to homes and businesses.

Among other sanitary sewer overflows reported last week in the three counties: Salem Lakes (Salem and Silver Lake), 8.8 million gallons to the Fox River; Elkhorn, 1.3 million gallons to Sugar Creek; Village of Pleasant Prairie, 490,500 gallons to Lake Michigan; and Eagle Lake sewer utility, 900,000 gallons to Eagle Lake.