A main connection point over the Mississippi River between Wisconsin and Iowa has been closed due to flooding. Authorities on both of the river have decided to close Highway 82 just south of De Soto in Crawford County from Highway 35 to Lansing, Iowa due to flooding.
For drivers that means they either have to travel south to the crossing between Marquette, Iowa and Prairie du Chien or go north to cross the Mississippi River at La Crosse.
Authorities also closed the bridge in 2019 due to flooding and washouts.
Vernon County
Vernon County has added another road closure to its list.
A portion of Mundsack Road south of Genoa is closed due to high water. The portion runs from E860 Mundsack Road to Elm Lane.
County Highway BI is closed due to floodwaters.
Other state or US highways that have portions closed as of Tuesday afternoon April 25 include:
As of 1:30 P.M. on Tuesday, April 25th the river is at 22.45 feet. The current level is still the third highest level behind 2001 23.75 feet and the historic crest of April 22, 1969 with a crest of 21.58 feet. The latest projections from the National Weather Service have the river reaching a level at or near 24.0 feet by Saturday afternoon, April 29, 2023 with a gradual decline to 23.2 feet by Tuesday, May 2, 2023.
Crawford County / Prairie du Chien
As of 2:30 P.M. on Friday, April 28, 2023 the river stage is 22.91 feet. The current level is the third highest level behind 2001 23.75 feet and the historic crest of April 22, 1965 with a crest of 25.38 feet. The latest projections from the National Weather Service has a gradual decline in water levels starting on Sunday, April 30.
Sandbagging operations has come to a stop and extra sand available at the radio station.
Residents who have garbage pickup in areas affected by high water should place totes on a roadway not covered by water. For example, residents with pick up in the alley of South Beaumont place in the front of the residence on Beaumont Road.
Mayor Hemmer has declared all roads that are barricaded closed except for residents who may live in the area.
County Rd K is still closed from Cliffwood Dr to State Hwy 35 along the Mississippi River due to flooding. Please stay out of this area unless you live or own property on County Rd K.
The shelter facility is operational at Hoffman Recreational Center for those who wish to use it if they experience flood water in their residence. For all those requesting the evacuation site contact Crawford County Emergency at 608-326-0266. In the event a resident decides to evacuate please contact Madison Gas and Electric 1-800-245-1125 and Alliant Energy 1-800-255-4268.
We received bottled water for all those who need some that are affected by the flood. The water will be available at Hoffman Hall Recreation Center and the Tourist Information Center.
As the river continues to rise, we encourage pedestrians and bicycles to not travel on St. Feriole Island.
A slow no wake will be in effect as well in all flooded navigable waters in the City of Prairie du Chien.
ENTERING RESTRICTED AREAS – The following rules apply in both the City of Prairie du Chien and throughout Crawford County:
1. You can receive permits, at no cost, at Prairie du Chien City Hall between 8 AM and 4:30 PM.
2. All permits will be approved prior to issuance.
3. Permits are required for any businesses located or operating in the restricted area.
4. Upon entering any restricted area, you must call the Crawford County Dispatch Center (608-326-8414) and state your name, contact number in case of emergency, the length of time and purpose for being in the restricted area.
5. Upon leaving, you must notify the Dispatch Center that you are leaving the restricted area.
6. Each time a person enters and leaves a restricted area, they are responsible for moving the barricades that are blocking the road. For example, when you arrive, move barricade, drive through, and then immediately stop and replace the barricades behind you. Repeat the process when exiting as well.
7. If a business is surrounded by flood waters, the permits do not allow for pedestrian or vehicular traffic through the flood waters.
8. Access by boats is permissible at your own discretion, BUT law enforcement/fire personnel will not transport by boat. Please keep in mind a slow no-wake is in effect for all waters under the jurisdiction of the city of Prairie du Chien.
9. VIOLATIONS OF THESE RULES COULD RESULT IN PENALTIES OR REVOCATION OF FURTHER ACCESS TO RESTRICTED AREAS.
STREET CLOSURES CURRENTLY IN EFFECT
• North Main St is closed from Blackhawk Avenue to Frederick Street
• Washington Street from North Beaumont to North Main Street
• 1st from West Wells Street to West Brunson Street
• Lockwood Street to the Campion Boat Landing
• Prairie Street from McCloud Street North
• All of 1st Street
• West Parrish from HWY 18 to Beaumont Road
• Wells from WHY 18 Bypass to Beaumont Road
• Rice Street from HWY 18 by-pass to Overview Court
• All of St. Feriole Island
AFTER THE FLOOD: SANDBAG REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL
Manage Debris and Waste After the Flood
After floodwaters recede, homeowners and others face the often-daunting chore of disposing of waterlogged debris. It is important to dispose of debris quickly but safely, protecting human health and the environment in both the short and long term. The bottom line: don’t burn or bury debris, recycle where possible, separate hazardous materials and landfill the rest. Above all, be safe. If you return to your home or farm and have discovered a large hazardous substance release (fuel oil tank rupture, agricultural chemicals spilled, etc.), you should notify the Wisconsin DNR’s Spill Hotline at 800-943-0003.
Sandbag Disposal
The following are options to assure that full or emptied sandbags are handled properly:
* Full biodegradable (jute, burlap, or other biodegradable) sandbags can be used as fill where placement is not prohibited. They can also be disposed at a municipal solid waste landfill or a construction and demolition landfill.
(SOURCE: Coping with Flooding, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources)
* Plastic or non-degradable sandbags require a written DNR approval prior to disposal at a place other than municipal solid waste landfill or a construction and demolition landfill.
* Remove sand from bags and properly dispose of the bags in a municipal solid waste landfill or a construction and demolition landfill.
* Any disposal that involves removing the sand from the sandbags and properly disposing (landfilling, recycling, or reusing) of the bags and placing the sand in an area where fill placement is not prohibited.
Please contact the landfill in advance to make sure they will accept the sandbags and to obtain cost estimates for disposal.
Reuse of full sandbags
* Full sandbags of both biodegradable and non-biodegradable material may be reused at other flood sites and may be reused to construct permanent earthen structures.
* Sandbags contaminated with petroleum products, transformer oil, or other contaminants are not considered exempt solid waste. For information on disposal of sandbags known to be contaminated with petroleum products, transformer oils, or other regulated materials, contact your DNR waste management specialist.
Sand from sandbags
* Use caution when reusing sand that came in contact with flood waters as the material may contain more bacteria than normal soil.
* Avoid placing sand in playgrounds, sandboxes, or other areas of direct human contact soon after removal from bags. Bacteria will dissipate with time and exposure to the elements. Sand could be stockpiled and used for winter road sand, fill, concrete or mortar sand, or other uses.
Grant County
After a day of outreach to affected families, everyone seems to have a place to stay and we currently have nobody who has expressed interest in using the shelter in Bagley tonight. Red Cross staff are going to keep the shelter in “standby” and it can be opened again very quickly should the need arise. If anyone displaced by the flooding needs shelter or food, please contact the Grant County Emergency Management Duty Officer at 608-778-1155.
THANK YOU to Hazel Green Fire, Lancaster EMS, Fennimore EMS and all of the other volunteers that showed up to help fill sandbags!!
To date, Grant County has deployed about 30,000 sandbags to local communities for use in the flood fighting effort. Sandbags remain available at the following locations:
Village of Cassville – DPW Garage on Wall Street (Sand is also available and volunteer crews are assisting residents today)
Village of Bagley – Wasterwater Treatment Plant on South Bagley Avenue
Town of Glen Haven – Contact Town Officials
Grant County Emergency Management (Lancaster) Call 608-778-1155
Reminder: When building a sandbag wall more than 1 foot in height, it is recommended to build in a pyramid shape rather than a single stack. The pyramid shape helps support the wall and prevent it from tipping over due to the weight of the water. The higher the wall, the wider the base needs to be.
The Grant County Highway Department has notified the Sheriffs Office they will be CLOSING HWY 133 from Potosi to Cassville at NOON today, April 26, 2023.
The detour will include:
County HWY U & County HWY N.
Per the HWY Dept. the hard closure will be from River Lane Rd (by the Potosi Point) to Dogtail Rd.
It is imperative that all motorists abide by this road closure and use the detour routes as the water increases.
* Take the extra time to use an alternate route.
* Flood waters can cause roads to deteriorate and collapse.
The Highway Department is working closely with the State DOT and other agencies to keep all residents safe, therefore these road closures, although inconvenient are NECESSARY.
Eagle Point Road is now closed at Bluff Lane in Jamestown Township. O’Leary’s Lake/Recreation area is closed.
Previously Announced Closures:
-County Highway X between Bagley and Wyalusing
-County Highway C between HWY 18 and Barker Hollow Road
-Dugway Road between Glen Haven and Bagley
-Closing Dam Road in Cassville Township
-All Streets in Bagley west of the Railroad Tracks are closed to non-residents.
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