Dane County officials warn not to travel unless essential following historic flooding

by Site Contributor

3651 Maple Grove Dr, Courtesy of Amanda JF

3651 Maple Grove Dr, Courtesy of Amanda JF

3651 Maple Grove Dr, Courtesy of Amanda JF

3651 Maple Grove Dr, Courtesy of Amanda JF

3651 Maple Grove Dr, Courtesy of Amanda JF



3651 Maple Grove Dr, Courtesy of Amanda JF

3651 Maple Grove Dr, Courtesy of Amanda JF

3651 Maple Grove Dr, Courtesy of Amanda JF

3651 Maple Grove Dr, Courtesy of Amanda JF

3651 Maple Grove Dr, Courtesy of Amanda JF



3651 Maple Grove Dr, Courtesy of Amanda JF

Fitchburg off Highway PD

Livington and Mifflin streets, Courtesy of Phillip Werman

McKee and Manchester roads, Courtesy of Patti Brown

McKee and Manchester roads, Courtesy of Patti Brown



McKee and Manchester roads, Courtesy of Patti Brown

McKee and Manchester roads, Courtesy of Patti Brown

Witney Way at the Beltline

Witney Way at the Beltline

Near Memorial High School



Near Old Sauk and North High Point Roads.

Near Old Sauk and North High Point Roads.

Near Old Sauk and North High Point Roads.

Elver Park on Madison's west side. Photo courtesy of Jaymes Langrehr.

Elver Park on Madison's west side. Photo courtesy of Jaymes Langrehr.



Elver Park on Madison's west side. Photo courtesy of Jaymes Langrehr.

Elver Park on Madison's west side. Photo courtesy of Jaymes Langrehr.

Cross Plains around 7 p.m. Photo courtesy of Heidi Zwitter-Casey

James Madison Memorial High School parking lot. Photo courtesy of Jim Hermanson.

Deming Way, Courtesy of Chris Conohan



Deming Way, Courtesy of Chris Conohan

Deming Way, Courtesy of Chris Conohan

Near Old Sauk and North High Point Roads.



































































Dane County officials are warning residents to stay at home unless travel is essential Monday night as more than 9 inches of rain have fallen.

“There will be parts of the city that do look quite different,” Ed Ruckriegel, Emergency Operations Coordinator for the Madison Fire Department, told News 3. “There are a number of businesses with water in it, streets that have been washed away, so yeah thing are going to look different in the morning.”

In a release Monday night, the Dane County Sheriff’s department warned that roads throughout the western half of Dane County are impassable due to downed trees and high water.

Wait for the lightening to see all the water pooling on the side of highway 14 near Rocky Dell road. It’s only climbing. pic.twitter.com/ofM2xgeNME

— Keely Arthur (@news3keely) August 21, 2018

The Village of Cross Plains is one of the hardest hit areas. The Cross Plains Fire Department says Highway 14, Highway P, Highway KP and Airport Road are all closed due to significant flooding. Fire Chief Dale Lochner says the morning commute is expected to be impacted by the flooding. Full damage assessments will be conducted once the sun comes up.

The Madison Police and Fire Department sent a joint news release reminding drivers to “turn around, don’t drown,” and asked people to stay home if they can.

“Please listen to the weather forecasts and do not drive in areas under flash flood warnings. Doing so puts you and our responders at risk,” the release said.

Officials with the City of Madison also sent a release Monday night warning that a number of areas in the city are not safe for driving.

CITY OF MADISON: The public is asked not to drive this evening. In addition to the rain that has already fallen, an additional 1″ to 2″ of rain is possible.The following locations are known to be flooded currently however additional locations are possible. #news3 pic.twitter.com/C86imXgx2f

— WISCTV News 3 (@WISCTV_News3) August 21, 2018

The city later added that a large portion of University Avenue, multiple intersections at Schroeder Road, Chapel Hill and Regis streets and areas of Marty Road are are all flooded as well.

Officials with the Fitchburg Police Department said that Fitchrona Road is closed from Lacy Road to Nesbitt Road. The closure will remain in effect for Tuesday morning and will likely remain in place thorough Tuesday.

FITCHBURG POLICE: Fitchrona Road is closed from Lacy Road to Nesbitt Road. The closure will remain in effect for Tuesday morning and will likely remain in place throughout Tuesday #news3 #firstalerttraffic pic.twitter.com/32uItuqLQW

— WISCTV News 3 (@WISCTV_News3) August 21, 2018

Multiple areas, including parts of Highway 14 near Cross Plains and Highway 151 near Highway 92 have been closed due to water over the roadway.

Alert | DANE Co | Weather | US 14 EB/WB | ROCKY DELL RD | All Lanes Affected (Both Directions) | https://t.co/tYLOLcVAKG

— 511 Wisconsin (@511WI) August 21, 2018

Dane County Executive Joe Parisi tweeted Monday night asking for “extreme caution” following reports of flooding and high water in western Dane county.

Plz use extreme caution if traveling tonight. Numerous reports of flooding and high water, especially in Western Dane County.

— Joe Parisi (@DaneCoJoe) August 21, 2018

Madison police and fire officials are responding to multiple calls for water rescues in the city as Dane County remains under a flood warning.

WATER RESCUE: Officials are responding to a water rescue at Commerce Street and Mineral Point Road #news3 pic.twitter.com/Rd60VEzLYq

— WISCTV News 3 (@WISCTV_News3) August 20, 2018

Dane County dispatchers confirmed a call for a water rescue in a stranded vehicle at Commerce Drive and Mineral Point Road just before 5:30 p.m Monday.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation said in a release that all northbound and southbound lanes of Highway 113 at Johnson Street were affected by flooding and drivers were advised to use an alternate route.

Heavy rainfall and flash floods are possible overnight, especially in central and southeast Wisconsin. Do not drive through flooded roads. #wiwx pic.twitter.com/FjVRfsbcSh

— Wisconsin DOT (@WisconsinDOT) August 20, 2018

The National Weather Service has issued a flash-flood warning for Dane County until 8:30 p.m.

Madison Gas and Electric’s outage map shows that more than 3,400 people were without power around 7:30 p.m. Monday.

Officials with the company said they have crews responding and that they hope to have power restored in a couple of hours. Officials said the power outages are storm-related.

POWER OUTAGE: @MGEMadison outage map showing more than 3,400 people out of power in west #Madison. #news3 pic.twitter.com/d82DlLe4fI

— WISCTV News 3 (@WISCTV_News3) August 21, 2018