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Flash Flood in Rock County, Wisconsin

Flash Flood April 17, 2026 · Rock County, Wisconsin

$30.0M
Damage as recorded

Where the report was made, with tornadoes recorded within 15 miles over the years.

What the National Weather Service wrote

Around 700 911 calls mainly attributed to flash flooding. Flash flooding of streets and yards in Janesville with basement flooding in many homes. Many vehicles stranded in deep water. A bridge was washed out due to the flooding of Fisher Creek over Rockport Rd. Severe flooding of a church, and the basement of an elementary school. The school's mechanical systems and main power panel were destroyed. The school has been closed. RAJ stadium flooded. A train derailment in downtown Janesville with 3 locomotives off the tracks, due to a sinkhole. 1st responders conducted a water rescue of the engineer using a rope.

The wider storm

A round of severe thunderstorms and flash flooding occurred as a strong cold front approached and tracked across southern WI. More specifically, supercell thunderstorms developed from northeast IA into southwest WI and far southern WI during the late afternoon and evening hours. Eventually these storms transitioned to a squall line which had a number of tornadoes associated with it, as it tracked through southeast Wisconsin. Flash flooding affected much of the same region especially in Janesville. Many large hail reports and a small number of downburst damaging wind reports were also received.

Began near Downtown Janesville (42.6691, -89.0759).

Other tornadoes from the same storm system

7 more tornadoes the National Weather Service filed under this storm episode.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event 1334155. Narratives are written by the National Weather Service forecast office that issued the report.

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