Heaviest Rain Expected Overnight, Minimal Flooding Reported During the Day
Tuesday, October 1, 2019 – 7:25pm
City crews from both Engineering and Traffic Engineering will be on call and ready to respond overnight to flooding concerns and road closures if need be.
During the day, there was reported flash flooding in low-lying areas of the east isthmus in Madison as expected. Storms sewers in low-lying areas, such as the east isthmus, are less effective because the sewers are filled with lake water. As a result of this morning’s rain, some intersections were closed down temporarily, and have since been re-opened.
Multiple intersections still have orange barriers up in case flash flooding occurs again:
- North Livingston and East Mifflin Street
- East Washington and Livingston Street
- Outbound East Washington at South Baldwin
- Third Street and Johnson Street
- Dayton Street and First Street
The public should continue to be cautious when deciding where to park, drive or be overnight, especially if the location has previously flooded before. Intense rainfall will cause roads to flood again.
Rain is expected to intensify later this evening, with two inches of additional rain likely and locally heavier rain possible. The line of storms is expected to progress repeatedly over the same areas. Severe thunderstorms are also possible.
Engineering crews will remain on standby until the threat of flooding has passed.
Residents and visitors should remain cautious when driving and should report significant flooding to City Engineering Operations 608-266-4430.
Residents should plan ahead if possible:
- Don’t drive through standing water.
- When intense rain is predicted, avoid parking in low lying areas of the Isthmus and the near east side.
- Avoid parking in other areas known to have flooded in the past.
- Sign up for flooding text alerts for closures.
- Sign up for weekly flooding updates
- Know where the nearest sandbag fill locations are.
- Visit the City’s flooding website for other resources.
- Report flooding when possible on the flooding form.
It is the City’s priority to keep residents safe and keep the community connected with updates as crews continue to monitor the potential for flooding.
