Although Heavy rains in southwest Wisconsin have been causing flooding issues in other counties, Iowa County has experienced minimal damage. Blynn Road in the Town of Arena sustained damage and about 300 ft. of railroad bed was destroyed between the Village of Arena and Blynn Rd.

As many already know Dane County communities sustained substantial damage in the areas of Madison, Cross Plains, Black Earth and Mazomanie. These communities are doing cleanup activities and beginning damage assessment.

As the heavy rains continued into this week, there are additional counties that have sustained substantial flood damage to the north of Iowa County.  Our neighbors in Sauk and Richland are contending with evacuations and sheltering of displaced residents from flood waters. The counties of Crawford, Vernon, La Crosse, Monroe, Juneau, Adams, Columbia, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, Ozaukee, and Winnebago are also in cleanup mode after experiencing Tornadoes, flooding and straight line winds.

On Wednesday afternoon a request from affected counties to unaffected counties went out asking for Fire department crews and apparatus to respond for relief of local department personnel.  It is anticipated that the Wisconsin River will see a significant rise over the next few days generating concern for the homes along the Avoca Lake front. Sandbags and sand are lying in wait if needed.

Barring any more torrential rains, all counties should be in full damage assessment mode by the end of next week.  We will keep our fingers crossed.