Are you all wet?

[Gregg]

We are! No water in our basement, but there's water all around. (I don't mean to imply near our house.)

Road closings on the news tonight:
Interstate 94 from Delafield (just two counties west of Milwaukee) to Lake Mills - about 40 miles

Interstate 90/94 from Madison to Mauston (site of the semi-trailer truck stop sign) - that's significantly longer than 40 miles, but I didn't Mapquest it. Maybe Bob knows...

It's unprecedented for these roads to be closed.

Of course, we lost Lake Delton in the first storm. That was all over the news across the country, I'm sure. For those safely overseas, there was film of two of the four houses that were swept off there moorings and washed away when  the bank of the lake, opposite the dam, eroded the ground, washed out a road, and made its own channel to the Wisconsin River about 100 yards away. (the length of a 'pointy' football field) Ironic that heavy rains eliminated a lake...

I love how the banner fits this topic!

[RNKIII]

Mauston, WI to Madison, WI. -70 MI...  As the pike swims!!

Haven't been 'on the road' south or east lately... but sounds like we'll need 'personal floatation devices' to make either trip.

We have had 'plenty' around here but not nearly what's been coming down in Iowa or Wisconsin.

Certainly wish them all the best..

Bob K.   rnkiii

[kimmer]

My dear friend lives near Lake Delton, and her small town has been partly submerged for a day or so. I've lost contact with her for the time being, but last time we chatted she'd been helping to sandbag the town and was packing to go to her sisters place. I'm trusting she's okay.

My family in Illinois has no water -- at the moment, but they've all had to scramble to their basements due to tornadoes. One missed my uncle and aunt by 1 mile and they aren't sleeping well these nights.

Hope you stay safe and dry, Gregg, and every one else dealing with all this wild stuff.

[Gregg]

The entire village of Gays Mills might be relocated due to repeated flooding! (I have no idea where the town got its name.)

[giantmike]

Hey guess what, we are getting more storms and rain here in Madison. Just what we needed!

Today we drove downtown, and the two lakes are almost breeching the cost line of which they are normally about 6-8 feet below. It's indeed very wild.

[Gregg]

People (kids especially) are being cautioned to stay out of the water. One gentleman from here in Wisconsin fell and is missing after trying to drive down a flooded street, getting stalled, and getting out to walk. So besides the danger of infection from bacteria, you can't see your feet! You have no idea what you might trip over, fall into, slip on, etc.

We might be getting a few days in a row without rain for the first time this month. I hope...

[dolphin]

Saw the news tonight about Iowa and Illinois and the Mississippi hasn't crested yet in many places. Also saw the story about the University of Iowa and I think 16 buildings damaged by water. Haven't heard from our old friend Kelly in a long while...hope he is ok and dry!!!

[Gregg]

Speaking of dry counties.... Well, close enough:

4 rusted handguns were found in the drained lake near Wisconsin Dells. They are being sent off to be analyzed to determine if they were used in a crime. But, according to Elton John:

Dillinger's dead
ohhhohhhohhh
I guess the cops won again

[Gregg]

This time, some good news: river's crest ..although it's qualified somewhat.

I kept thinking if a town's levee held, then another town downstream was in for more trouble. But, if that levee upstream failed, more water is dispersed over a greater area, making it better for towns downstream. So the levees have to get taller, or the basin wider as you move downstream if the river is to be contained. Unfortunately, there is no such coordination. Each locale is on its own.

[Paddy]

While we haven't seen the extreme flooding you've had in the Midwest, Toronto has been inundated lately. Last week we had hail in some spots - enough to make it look like it had snowed. Today we had torrents of rain - again, along with funnel clouds here and there and lots of lightning and thunder. Some roads were flooded and the lower Don River was overflowing its banks. Almost every day for the past couple of weeks has been like this - sunny one minute, thunderstorms the next. And according to the forecast I just looked at, this is going to continue until next week some time! The only upside is that I haven't had to water my garden.