MILWAUKEE COUNTY

Rivers flooding in central Wisconsin; some Columbia County residents urged to evacuate

Talis Shelbourne
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The flooded areas in green dot the southern part of the state.

Flood warnings have been issued for the Wisconsin and Fox rivers in central Wisconsin, and authorities on Saturday urged residents in two Columbia County towns to evacuate their homes for safety.

"This is not a time to take chances with your lives or the lives of emergency responders," Columbia County Sheriff Roger Grandner said in a statement urging residents near the Wisconsin River in Caledonia and Lewiston to move to higher ground.

Grandner said the river is expected to reach "historic levels" of 20.5 feet or higher and hold there for several days. He said the earthen berm system along the river is unpredictable and unstable and that Department of Natural Resources workers are monitoring the situation.

Grandner said emergency responses could be delayed or diminished because of the high water.

The Wisconsin River near the Dells is expected to continue rising to about 17 feet by Saturday evening, it said. In Portage, it is expected to reach 20 feet near Portage by Sunday morning.

The Wisconsin River near the city of Portage has reached major flooding stage since noon Saturday.

The National Weather Service has issued flood warnings for:

  • The Fox River near Berlin in Green County.
  • The Wisconsin River at Merrill affecting Marathon and Lincoln counties; below Wausau affecting Marathon County, below the Dubay Reservoir affecting Portage and Marathon counties, below Stevens Point affecting Portage County, below the Whiting Dam affecting Portage County; and below the Biron Reservoir affecting Wood County.
  • Yellow River at Babcock and Pittsville, affecting Wood County.
  • Menominee River near McAllister, affecting Marinette and Menominee counties.
  • Oconto River above Oconto, affecting Oconto County.
  • Wolf River near Shiocton and at New London, affecting Outagamie, Shawano, Winnebago and Waupaca counties.
  • Embarrass River near Embarrass, affecting Waupaca and Shawano counties.
  • Peshtigo River near Porterfield, affecting Marinette County.
The Wisconsin River near the city of Wisconsin Dells has reached minor flooding stage since noon Saturday.

Displaced individuals are being advised to call (608) 742-4166 ext. 1 or seek a Red Cross shelter being set up in the area.

Contact Talis Shelbourne at (414) 223-5261 or tshelbourn@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @talisseer and Facebook at @talisseer.