Flooding Update (8-27-2018)

Yesterday's rain didn't hit Madison as bad as expected and today so far has been nice. Things are looking better, but there is still a threat of rising water levels. The City of Madison held a press conference at 1pm this afternoon. Here's an update:

We ask that Madison residents continue to be prepared for rising water levels. The water level on Lake Monona is down one half inch. While levels have dropped and some roads have been opened staff are continuing to be monitor roads and water levels and closure decisions will be made as needed. We encourage residents to refer to cityofmadison.com/flooding. While we did not get excessive amounts of rain yesterday and last night, weather conditions continue to be unstable. Flash flooding continues to be a concern.

Dane County Lakes staff has been working around the clock to do what they can to mitigate additional flooding before more rain is expected this week. Due to their efforts, Monona crested yesterday and levels should slowly go down today. Working through the weekend, county staff used 10 lake weed harvesters to remove over 270 loads of aquatic plants in the past several days. That’s doubled the flow of the water leaving the chain of lakes. More water is now leaving the Yahara Chain than what’s entering it, allowing for levels to stabilize.

Recent City Action

City staff and volunteers have leafletted over 1,000 additional homes in the Starkweather Creek area letting property owners know their property is in a vulnerable area if we receive additional rain. Maps of all areas and of street closures can be found at cityofmadison.com/flooding.

Staff and volunteers have distributed 160,000 sandbags ….and we are in no danger of running out. Crews have been working around the clock to fill bags, at our Badger Road, Streets facility and they are able to fill roughly 1,400 per hour. Ten thousand additional bags were distributed this morning as a result of their overnight work.

Five sites throughout the Isthmus area are being utilized for sandbag production with staff and volunteers those can be found at cityofmadison.com/flooding.

We have RE-OPENED the following streets this morning:

• Inbound E Washington (from N. Brearly to N Livingston) – all lanes are now open inbound
• Outbound E Washington (near S. Blount St) – all lanes are now open outbound
• N First St between E Washington and Johnson – 2 lanes open northbound and 2 lanes open southbound
• E. Main St is open between S. Dickinson St and Northern Court
• N. Livingston is now open from E Washington Ave north to E Dayton Street

The following remain CLOSED at this time:

• E. Johnson St closed from N. First St to N. Baldwin St
• E. Main St between Northern Court to and past the river
• Marston Ave between E Johnson St & Sherman Ave (this is where the sand pile is located)
• 700 and 800 blocks of E Mifflin St (between Blount St and Paterson St)

Madison Metro is continuing to offer free fares today but plan to charge for service tomorrow.

Continue to Prepare for Flooding

Residents are still reminded to monitor weather and avoid parking in low levels if rain is predicted. Overnight parking is still free in Madison ramps.

• Move valuables from your basement to other floors.
• Get a submersible pump and test your pump if you already have one.
• Sandbag your property if you are in low-lying areas identified on the City map for Isthmus flash flooding or in areas known to flood in the past.
• Sandbag the lowest opening of your building (i.e. Doors and windows)
• Acquire a plug for your floor drains, basement sink, and basement toilet. Placing sandbags over the floor drain will provide some level of protection.

Additional information

We have received reports of people walking, swimming and kayaking in flood waters. The water is not safe for many reasons and people should stay out of it.

Big Top Events from Breese Stevens Field (Madison Mallards) donated 200 cases of bottled water to provide to volunteers and workers today. We appreciate their community support.

If there is anything I can do to help, feel free to reach out: district19@cityofmadison.com

-Keith F