Flash Flood in La Crosse County, Wisconsin

Heavy rain led to major flash flooding in the south end of the county, especially south of La Crosse. Mudslides were reported along Highways 35 and 33. There was also major street flooding and water in basements. Parts of a retaining wall washed away at the intersection of Highways 14, 61, and 35 and erosion washed away some smaller roads.

About 644 people applied for FEMA assistance.

A warm front lifting northward into Iowa triggered round after round of thunderstorms leading to excessive rainfall across southwest Wisconsin during the evening and overnight hours of August 18-19. Total rainfall amounts of 10 to 15 inches were common. Specific reports from weather observers included 10.12 inches and 9.73 inches in Readstown and Viroqua (Vernon County) respectively. Rain had also fallen earlier in the day. Due to the excessive rainfall, widespread and significant flash flooding occurred. Numerous roads and bridges were washed out, houses collapsed due to mudslides and hundreds of homes had flooded basements. Amazingly, there were no fatalities reported. This was in spite of reports from law enforcement and fire department officials of rescuing people in stranded vehicles. Damage attributed to the heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding was estimated to be in the millions of dollars. Crawford, La Crosse, Richland and Vernon counties were declared federal disaster areas.