A warm front lifting northward into Iowa triggered round after round of thunderstorms leading to excessive rainfall across southwest Wisconsin during the evening and overnight hours of August 18-19. Total rainfall amounts of 10 to 15 inches were common. Specific reports from weather observers included 10.12 inches and 9.73 inches in Readstown and Viroqua (Vernon County) respectively. Rain had also fallen earlier in the day. Due to the excessive rainfall, widespread and significant flash flooding occurred. Numerous roads and bridges were washed out, houses collapsed due to mudslides and hundreds of homes had flooded basements. Amazingly, there were no fatalities reported. This was in spite of reports from law enforcement and fire department officials of rescuing people in stranded vehicles. Damage attributed to the heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding was estimated to be in the millions of dollars. Crawford, La Crosse, Richland and Vernon counties were declared federal disaster areas.

Flash Flood in CRAWFORD, WISCONSIN
From 19-AUG-07 02:05:00 to 19-AUG-07 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: SOLDIERS GROVE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Two feet of water was over Highway 61 south of town from flooding and even closed in Soldiers Grove.

Flash Flood in CRAWFORD, WISCONSIN
From 19-AUG-07 03:30:00 to 19-AUG-07 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: SOLDIERS GROVE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 20.00K
Reported by: County Official

Numerous roads and state highways closed, mostly in the northeast section of the county. Nursing home evacuated in Soldiers Grove. Numerous residents evacuated in Gays Mills and Soldiers Grove.

Flood in CRAWFORD, WISCONSIN
From 19-AUG-07 05:00:00 to 28-AUG-07 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: SOLDIERS GROVE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 2.20M
Crop damage: 140.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The Kickapoo River at Soldiers Grove established the second highest all-time crest of record when it reached 19.35 feet on August 20. Flood stage is 13 feet.
River flooding in many towns was extensive. Over 400 people applied for FEMA assistance.

Flash Flood in GRANT, WISCONSIN
From 19-AUG-07 04:11:00 to 19-AUG-07 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: MILLVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 265.00K
Crop damage: 18.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Flash flooding affected about 40 homes across parts of mainly northern Grant County. One home was destroyed. Several bridges and roads were also damaged.

Flash Flood in CRAWFORD, WISCONSIN
From 18-AUG-07 20:40:00 to 19-AUG-07 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: DE SOTO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 20.00M
Crop damage: 460.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Flash flooding and mudslides were reported over mainly the northern half of the county. Hardest hit areas were in the steep terrain and along Highway 35 from Lynxville to De Soto. Some roads were closed due to flood waters and in one case a large boulder fell on to Highway 35.
In Crawford County, about 415 people applied for FEMA assistance.

Flash Flood in VERNON, WISCONSIN
From 18-AUG-07 20:15:00 to 19-AUG-07 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: STODDARD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 28.20M
Crop damage: 500.00K
Reported by: County Official

Flash floods and mudslides were reported across the county, with numerous county roads closed and impassable. Areas significantly impacted were from around Stoddard to Viroqua. At least 79 people were evacuated below local dams. Mudslides were especially dangerous along Highway 35 on the west end of the county washing away some homes and closing the highway for quite sometime. Railroad tracks were also damaged knocking over one set of rail cars that had hazardous material stored.
Over 1,100 people applied for FEMA assistance including 33 businesses in the county.

Flash Flood in LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN
From 18-AUG-07 19:40:00 to 19-AUG-07 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LA CROSSE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 11.90M
Crop damage: 150.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Heavy rain led to major flash flooding in the south end of the county, especially south of La Crosse. Mudslides were reported along Highways 35 and 33.  There was also major street flooding and water in basements. Parts of a retaining wall washed away at the intersection of Highways 14, 61, and 35 and erosion washed away some smaller roads.
About 644 people applied for FEMA assistance.

Flash Flood in LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN
From 19-AUG-07 02:49:00 to 19-AUG-07 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LA CROSSE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 1.30M
Crop damage: 70.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Up to 200 people were evacuated at Goose Island camp ground due to flash flooding and a nearby train derailment. The train derailment was due to mud and debris across the railroad tracks.

Flood in CRAWFORD, WISCONSIN
From 19-AUG-07 06:00:00 to 21-AUG-07 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: GAYS MILLS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 1.10M
Crop damage: 250.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Flooding continued along many creeks, streams and rivers. Law enforcement officials reported numerous roads and bridges were either washed out or still under water. All or portions of highways still closed included Highway 131 from Steuben to Soldiers Grove, Highway 171 at Gays Mills and Highway 179 at Steuben.

Flash Flood in RICHLAND, WISCONSIN
From 19-AUG-07 01:20:00 to 19-AUG-07 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: YUBA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 750.00K
Crop damage: 25.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

The fire department building was under water and Highway 80 buckled north of Century Farm Road.

Flash Flood in RICHLAND, WISCONSIN
From 18-AUG-07 22:16:00 to 19-AUG-07 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: RICHLAND CENTER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 8.80M
Crop damage: 300.00K
Reported by: County Official

Numerous state highways and county roads were closed and impassable due to flood waters.  An estimated 75 percent of the county roads were affected including Highway 80 that was impassable with bridges buckled. Highways 56 and 58 were also impacted. At least a dozen boat rescues were needed from homes and cars. The town of Rockbridge was basically underwater.  A 51-year old was swept off a bridge on Highway 60 near the intersection of Highway 80 on his way to Muscoda from Mill Creek.

Flood in CRAWFORD, WISCONSIN
From 19-AUG-07 12:00:00 to 30-AUG-07 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: GAYS MILLS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 50.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The Kickapoo River at Gays Mills established the second highest all-time crest of record when it reached 19.79 feet on August 20. Flood stage is 13 feet.

Flood in VERNON, WISCONSIN
From 19-AUG-07 06:00:00 to 21-AUG-07 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: VIROQUA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 3.50M
Crop damage: 250.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Flooding continued along many creeks, streams and rivers. Law enforcement officials reported numerous roads and bridges were either washed out or still under water. All or portions of highways still closed included Highway 35 from Stoddard northward, as well as Highway 131 from Viola to La Farge and from the intersection of Highway 56 and 82 to Viola.

Flash Flood in VERNON, WISCONSIN
From 19-AUG-07 01:45:00 to 19-AUG-07 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: COON VLY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 2.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Car washed away at County Road P and Spring Coulee Road, but people escaped.

Flash Flood in LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN
From 19-AUG-07 19:45:00 to 19-AUG-07 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LA CROSSE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Streets flooded in the city of La Crosse and on the south side near Kwik Trip and Wal Mart.

Flash Flood in VERNON, WISCONSIN
From 19-AUG-07 01:45:00 to 19-AUG-07 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: SPRINGVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 30.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Car washed away on Highway 56, but people escaped.

Flood in RICHLAND, WISCONSIN
From 19-AUG-07 06:00:00 to 21-AUG-07 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: RICHLAND CENTER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 50.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Flooding continued along many creeks, streams and rivers. Law enforcement officials reported numerous roads and bridges were either washed out or still under water.

Flood in RICHLAND, WISCONSIN
From 19-AUG-07 00:00:00 to 26-AUG-07 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: VIOLA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 50.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The Kickapoo River at Viola established the second highest all-time crest of record when it reached 18.20 feet on August 19. Flood stage is 14 feet.

Flash Flood in LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN
From 19-AUG-07 19:45:00 to 19-AUG-07 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ONALASKA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Erosion along a bridge on Highway 53 just north of Onalaska was reported from flash flooding.

Flood in LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN
From 19-AUG-07 06:00:00 to 20-AUG-07 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LA CROSSE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 400.00K
Crop damage: 50.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Flooding continued along many creeks, streams and rivers. Law enforcement officials reported numerous roads and bridges were either washed out or still under water. All or portions of highways still closed included Highway 35 south of La Crosse and County Road GI to Goose Island Park.

Flood in VERNON, WISCONSIN
From 19-AUG-07 03:00:00 to 25-AUG-07 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: READSTOWN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 50.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The Kickapoo River at Readstown established the second highest all-time crest of record when it reached 18.82 feet on August 20. Flood stage is 12 feet.

Flood in CRAWFORD, WISCONSIN
From 19-AUG-07 12:00:00 to 31-AUG-07 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: STEUBEN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 50.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The Kickapoo River at Steuben established the second highest all-time crest of record when it reached 16.89 feet on August 20. Flood stage is 12 feet.