Flash Flood — Dane, Wisconsin

2018-08-20 · near Springfield Corners, Dane, Wisconsin

Event narrative

The widespread flash flooding of creeks and streets in Middleton, Verona, and the west side of Madison resulted in dozens of flooded or stranded vehicles, over 50 water rescues, and hundreds of citizens stranded in place. One drowning death occurred when a man attempted to escape the flood waters by exiting his vehicle. Many city streets were closed including major thoroughfares. 70 residences in the village of Shorewood Hills suffered water damage with 15 families displaced from their homes. Basement flooding was common in Madison and suburbs to the west and south. Water rescues were also executed just west of Verona on County Highway PD due to flash flooding of the Sugar River. Some rural roads south of Madison and Verona were closed due to flooding from the Sugar River or other creeks, including portions of highway 69. Flood waters at Morey Airport in Middleton tipped over a 500 gallon tank of gasoline and a 1,000 gallon tank of jet fuel. The gas tank leaked and was contained by a containment berm.

Wider weather episode

An organized and slow moving low pressure area within a very moist airmass resulted in 9 to 15 inches of rain and historic flash flooding from the west side of Madison to Mazomanie, and south to Belleville. State of Emergencies were declared with hundreds of homes flooded and hundreds of citizens evacuated or stranded in the flood waters. The flash flooding of streets and creeks on the west side of Madison resulted in the drowning death of one man. The already high levels of the Yahara Chain of Lakes reached record levels for the end of August into early September. This resulted in sustained flooding in sections of the isthmus in Madison and lakeshore areas of Lake Monona and Lake Waubesa. In addition to the historic flash flooding, one EF0 tornado occurred in Delavan in Walworth Co. A couple firefighters were indirectly struck by lightning and suffered minor injuries in Cross Plains. Lightning also was the cause of a house fire near Cross Plains.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (43.2032, -89.5699)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 775409. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.