High water closes roads, streams rise to flood stage throughout southeastern Wisconsin

High water from two days of rain closed state highways and streets throughout southeastern Wisconsin on Tuesday afternoon and filled swollen streams to their banks.

Janesville fire and police departments rescued people from vehicles stranded in high water at two locations Tuesday and officials there announced partial closing of nearly one dozen city streets due to flooding.

Janesville authorities urged motorists not to drive around barricades marking flooded roads.

The Root River in Franklin in Milwaukee County and the Fox River near New Munster in Kenosha County rose to minor flood stage Tuesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service in Sullivan.

The Root River Canal near Raymond in Racine County also swelled to minor flood stage Tuesday.

Numerous roads were reported closed in Washington and Waukesha counties.

All lanes of state Highway 167 between Highways 164 and 83 in Washington County were closed Tuesday afternoon due to water on the road, the state Department of Transportation said.

State Highway 83 in northern Waukesha County was closed in both directions Tuesday afternoon from county Highway CW north to the county line, a Waukesha County Sheriff's Department dispatcher said.

The Washington County Highway Department closed portions of two state highways Tuesday afternoon due to flooding and the National Weather Service warned motorists not to drive through flooded streets and highways.

All lanes of state Highway 144 were closed Tuesday afternoon from county Highway K north of Slinger to state Highway 33 west of West Bend in Washington County.

State Highway 175 was closed in both directions from Pioneer Road in Richfield north to state Highway 60 at Slinger in Washington County.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation closed the southbound I-41 off-ramp to state Highway 60 at Slinger Tuesday afternoon due to high water.

Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha counties were included in a flood warning until 9:45 p.m. Tuesday. Washington and Ozaukee counties were under a flood warning until 9:15 p.m. Tuesday.

At 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, the Weather Service extended the flood warning for Waukesha and Jefferson counties and portions of Walworth and Dodge counties until 6:45 a.m. Wednesday. Rock and southern Dane counties also were included in the extended flood warning.

Local law enforcement and emergency management officials reported numerous road closings across southern Wisconsin Tuesday evening, the Weather Service said.

"Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads," the Weather Service said in its flood warning. "Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses."

Southern Walworth and southeastern Rock counties also were included in the flood warning. Much of south-central and southeastern Wisconsin was under a flood warning or watch on Tuesday.

Afternoon rains were forecast to add up to 1 inch of rain Tuesday afternoon on top of the nearly 2 inches already measured across much of southeastern Wisconsin since Monday. The rainfall and melting snow could cause local flooding, the Weather Service said.

Gauges measured 1.9 inches of rain in Shorewood and the south side of Milwaukee at W. Lincoln Ave. as of 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District. A total of 1.8 inches of rain was recorded on Milwaukee's west side at N. 25th St.

In Green and Rock counties, some roads were flooded and closed, the National Weather Service said.

In Rock County, the Sheriff's Department said there were flooding issues countywide. It said sand and sandbags were available for county residents at:

Rock Town Hall, 5102 S. Highway D, Afton. Residents will need to fill and transport their own bags.

Newville Park and Ride, off I-39/90 at exit 163. Residents will need to fill and transport their own bags.

City of Janesville at 900 N. Parker Drive. Residents are asked to call the City Services Center at (608) 755-3110 for instructions for pick up.

City of Beloit, 2351 Springbrook Court.

Rivers and streams will continue to rise due to the rain and snowmelt and river flooding is likely to persist into the latter portion of the week, according to the weather service.