Audio update on flooding along the Mississippi and reports from Crawford and Vernon County Emergency Management Directors.
UPDATE: April 19, 2023
With this weeks heavy snowfall and continued precipitation the National Weather Service has updated its flood outlook and are now forecasting even more severe flooding along Mississippi River than their already dire predictions had been before this weeks weather events. The Weather Service’s spring flood forecast before this week had predicted a high probability of moderate to major flooding in several spots along the river, now the hydrological models are forecasting major flooding in several areas with the highest impact predicted for McGregor, Iowa.
Communities all along the Mississippi from Winona, MN to Guttenberg, IA are preparing for high water. The weather service posted information about the situation in La Crosse early this morning.
Governor Evers declared a state of Emergency not only for the Mississippi River but because of high water along several rivers including the Wisconsin, Chippewa, St. Croix and Wolf rivers.
La Crosse County
The City of La Crosse has already closed some parks and streets.
As of this morning the National Weather Service said the Mississippi was up at 13.77 feet in La Crosse, a rise of about a foot-and-a-half in just two days. It is predicted to crest at 15.2 feet by Monday, April 24th.
The city announced some closures.
Pettibone Park and Pettibone Beach: 700 N. Pettibone Dr
Copeland Park: 1130 Rose St
Riverside Park: 100 State St
Riverside International Friendship Gardens: 405 E Veterans Memorial Dr
Trails closed:
Marsh Trails
Cottonwood
Grand Crossing
Willow
Jim Asfoor Trail
Community Trails
Green Island Trail
Houska Park Trail
Park Roads:
Joseph Houska Drive
Pettibone Drive
Logan Street (West of Rose St)
Copeland Park Drive
E Veterans Memorial Drive
Vernon County
Public safety officials in Stoddard, Genoa and the Town of Wheatland say the entrance to Blackhawk Park is closed.
Crawford County

Thursday April, 20
PRESS RELEASE – St. Feriole Island closed to all traffic and river expected to reach levels near or higher than 2001.
Mayor Dave Hemmer announced last night due to the faster rise of the river than expected that St. Feriole Island was closed to all traffic. The latest projections from the National Weather Service have the river reaching a level at or near 23.6 feet early by Thursday, April 27. This level would be .5 higher than the flood of 2001. City and County officials again met this morning and will be having a Public Information Meeting tomorrow April 21, 2023 at 1:30 P.M. in the Community Room at City Hall.
Evacuation sites are being prepared for those who wish to use them if they experience flood water in their residence. Additional information to follow at the PIM. In the event a resident decides to evacuate please contact Madison Gas and Electric and Alliant Energy.
As the river continues to rise, we encourage pedestrian not to walk on St. Feriole Island.
Due to a higher predicted river stage, the wastewater department is asking that all people that are or will be receiving flood water into their basement, that they place a plastic bag and a couple sandbags over their floor drain to prevent flood waters from entering into the sanitary sewer line. Sandbags are available to be picked up at the corner of N. Ohio St. and E. Washington St. or those who need sandbags and have no reasonable means of picking them up contact the WWTF at 608-326-8534 or Crawford County EOC at 608-326-0266 for assistance.
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.
SANDBAG OPERATIONS – Bags have been filled and delivered to the location at the corner of East Washington St. and North Ohio St. Those who need sandbags should call the EOC at 326-0266. Municipalities and townships who need sandbags should contact their chief elected official. The city and county are looking for volunteers who would be willing to place sandbags around the city and Crawford County. Please call 326-0266 if you would like to volunteer.
STREET CLOSURES CURRENTLY IN EFFECT
•North Main St is closed from Frederick St to West Washington Street.
•All of St. Feriole Island
Grant County
Thursday April, 20
From Grant County Emergency Management:

Wednesday April, 19
The Grant County Emergency Management Office said the current forecast for the Mississippi River at McGregor calls for a crest range between 23.1 to 24.8 feet, which would make this the second or third highest crest in history (the 2001 crest was 23.75 feet). The forecast at Guttenberg calls for a range of 20.4 to 22.4 feet, which would fall between the second and fourth highest crest in history (the 2001 crest was 21.68 feet).
The most up to date river forecast information can be found on the National Weather Service website at www.weather.gov/arx. Click on “Forecasts” and click on “Rivers and Lakes”.
Sandbags and sand will be available starting tomorrow in Cassville (Cassville Village Shop on Wall Street) and tomorrow afternoon in Bagley (Location to be announced). Sandbags are also available in Lancaster from Grant County Emergency Management, 608-723-7171.
Our department is working with the Villages and Townships along the river to provide information and resources as needed.
National Weather Service Hydrological Models
Click the map for more information.
Original story April 10, 2023
With the nice warm weather these past couple of days, have you been making any preparations for flooding along the Mississippi River?
The National Weather Service issues its latest flood forecast this week and says even with no snow cover for the local area, do not be caught off guard as river levels rise this week. Further upstream, there is still plenty of snow that is starting to melt and make its way into the area rivers and streams that will eventually feed into the Mississippi River. You can find additional information at National Weather Service Flood Forecast.
Key points in Weather Service Report
Very high risk (80 to 90%) of MODERATE flooding with a 30 to 65+% chance some locations see MAJOR flood levels.
Expecting the highest Upper Mississippi River levels in over 20 years – Flood levels could rival 2001.
If you live near, or have interests along the Mississippi River, you should begin preparing now.At least prepare like you did in 2001, as impacts are likely to be similar. There is a smaller chance impacts could be worse than 2001 at some locations.
Flooding is expected to start toward the middle of April. Based on snowmelt only, we are expecting rivers to crest between April 19th to 29th. Any additional precipitation may result in secondary crests or exacerbate ongoing flooding.
There will be adjustments to river forecasts based on additional rainfall and/or snowmelt that progresses faster/slower than expected. Continuously monitor the latest river forecasts and use them as a guide to help your planning.
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