Flash Flooding alerts for Southern Wisconsin, State of Emergencies made for multiple counties

On July 12th at 1:35 a.m., a flash flood warning was sent to residents in the Hartland area according to National Weather Service and was in effect until 4:30 a.m.

Parts of southern Wisconsin got inches of rain on Wednesday, causing massive flooding in areas like Kenosha. Western Kenosha County’s reporter Darren Hillock stated that the county had gotten over eight inches of rain overnight.

Kenosha, Racine, and Walworth counties all reported to have up to eight inches of rain between the night of July 11th and morning hours of July 12th as claimed by the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs Division of Emergency Management (WEM).

The WEM said that the flooding was so extensive and extreme in the three counties that Governor Scott Walker and Major General Don Dunbar, Wisconsin’s adjutant general, along with Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator Brian Satula in Burlington, Wisconsin, met with local officials and to view the flood damage caused by the rain. After meeting with officials, Governor Scott Walker and other city officials from the affected counties called for a state of emergency and requested help from the National Guard.

“I have instructed state agencies and the Wisconsin National Guard to help those affected by the flooding and to continue to provide resources to assist with the response and recovery efforts,” said Governor Scott Walker. “I thank the Wisconsin National Guard, Wisconsin Emergency Management, and all state agencies for their coordinated response to this emergency. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the flooding.”  

Sheriff David Beth said, “One major concern at this point is that additional flooding might prompt the closure of Highway 50 near the Fox River.” This is due to the fact that the Fox River had major flooding and had sat at 16.15 feet, which is five feet above the normal flooding stage and causing parts of Highway 50 be underwater according to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporters Jesse Garza, Maddie Koss, and Jordyn Noennig.

Carol Rickard, a flooding victim with heavy flooding around her Burlington home, says, “It’s coming up fast. We’re completely under in the back, no-parking area — and now we have a lake.”

Residents throughout the affected counties are urged to report damage to the county so disaster relief can be sought out according to Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser.

“We need to know the aggregate damage,” says Kresuer. “When difficult time strike Kenosha County, it brings out the best in Kenosha County citizens. Neighbors are helping neighbors. If you’re unsafe or feel unsafe and need to get out, call a friend or call law enforcement. Make sure you check on elderly and disabled friends and family. Call them – don’t drive there until it’s safe to travel.”

Hartland got 2.97 inches of rain on Wednesday states Fox6 news reporter Tom Wachs. Arrowhead High School experienced rain damage from the storms Wednesday.

“There’s this big puddle by the stadium,” says Arrowhead student Martha Kobiske, “It’s pond sized. I’m not even joking-it’s like legit pond sized.”