A line of severe thunderstorms moved across western Wisconsin during the evening of August 27th. A brief tornado touched down and had an intermittent damage path between Tomah and Wyeville (Monroe County). The damage was limited to trees and power poles. These storms blew down trees and caused roof damage in Sparta (Monroe County), rolled a camper and damaged several signs near Tomah (Monroe County) and downed trees around Hixton (Jackson County) and in the Town of Cleveland (Jackson County). The  storms then became oriented in an east to west line and dumped copious amounts of rain from southern La Crosse County and northern Vernon County east across the southern sections of Monroe, Juneau and Adams Counties. Numerous roads were closed because of flooding or mudslides, homes had to be evacuated with several water rescues were performed. Towns that were hit hard by the flooding included Coon Valley, Ontario (Vernon County), Elroy and Wonewoc (Juneau County). The eastbound Amtrak Empire Builder had to be halted near Tomah because of a washout on the rail line near Mauston (Juneau County). In Monroe and Vernon Counties, four earthen flood control dams failed and seven others sustained damage. Rainfall totals of 6 to 10 inches were common in this heavy rain band with the highest reported totals being 9.14 inches in Union Center (Juneau County) and 9.98 inches near Westby (Vernon County). The runoff later produced historic flooding on the Kickapoo River with several record flood crests established. Damages in Juneau County exceeded $22 million of which $6.5 million was from Elroy. The State of Wisconsin Governor declared a state of emergency for the entire state.  A federal disaster declaration was made for La Crosse, Monroe, Juneau, Adams, Vernon, Crawford and Richland Counties.

Thunderstorm Wind in MONROE, WISCONSIN
From 27-AUG-18 19:10:00 to 27-AUG-18 19:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: SPARTA
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Numerous trees were blown down in Sparta and several of these landed on houses. Part of a roof was blown off and several power lines were also blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in MONROE, WISCONSIN
From 27-AUG-18 19:24:00 to 27-AUG-18 19:24:00 (CST-6)
Location: TOMAH
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several signs were damaged in Tomah.

Thunderstorm Wind in MONROE, WISCONSIN
From 27-AUG-18 19:26:00 to 27-AUG-18 19:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: WATERMILL
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A 24 foot camper was rolled into a transformer near Tomah.

Heavy Rain in VERNON, WISCONSIN
From 27-AUG-18 17:47:00 to 28-AUG-18 02:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: BLOOMINGDALE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The COOP observer near Westby measured 9.98 inches of rain.

Heavy Rain in JUNEAU, WISCONSIN
From 27-AUG-18 18:01:00 to 28-AUG-18 03:46:00 (CST-6)
Location: UNION CENTER
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The COOP observer in Union Center measured 9.14 inches of rain.

Heavy Rain in MONROE, WISCONSIN
From 27-AUG-18 17:39:00 to 28-AUG-18 02:52:00 (CST-6)
Location: MELVINA
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

In Melvina, 8.66 inches of rain fell.

Heavy Rain in MONROE, WISCONSIN
From 27-AUG-18 17:57:00 to 28-AUG-18 04:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: KENDALL
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Near Kendall, 8.58 inches of rain fell.

Heavy Rain in JUNEAU, WISCONSIN
From 27-AUG-18 18:36:00 to 28-AUG-18 04:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: PLAINVILLE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Southeast of Lyndon Station, 8.3 inches of rain fell.

Heavy Rain in MONROE, WISCONSIN
From 27-AUG-18 17:39:00 to 28-AUG-18 03:51:00 (CST-6)
Location: CASHTON
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

In Cashton, 7.25 inches of rain fell.

Heavy Rain in VERNON, WISCONSIN
From 27-AUG-18 18:01:00 to 28-AUG-18 03:26:00 (CST-6)
Location: HILLSBORO
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The COOP observer in Hillsboro measured seven inches of rain.

Heavy Rain in VERNON, WISCONSIN
From 27-AUG-18 17:23:00 to 28-AUG-18 01:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: GENOA
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Near Genoa, 7.75 inches of rain fell.

Heavy Rain in VERNON, WISCONSIN
From 27-AUG-18 17:23:00 to 28-AUG-18 02:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: STODDARD
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The COOP observer in Stoddard measured 7.42 inches of rain.

Heavy Rain in LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN
From 27-AUG-18 17:35:00 to 28-AUG-18 02:43:00 (CST-6)
Location: BARRE MILLS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Near Barre Mills, 5.88 inches of rain fell.

Heavy Rain in LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN
From 27-AUG-18 17:32:00 to 27-AUG-18 23:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: ST JOSEPH
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A mesonet station west of St. Joseph measured 5.84 inches of rain.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, WISCONSIN
From 27-AUG-18 18:15:00 to 27-AUG-18 18:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: SCHLERVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 6.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Numerous trees were blown down or snapped from 2 miles northwest of Hixton, through Hixton to about 2 miles southeast of Hixton.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, WISCONSIN
From 27-AUG-18 18:18:00 to 27-AUG-18 18:18:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALMA CENTER
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Trees were blown down in Alma Center.

Thunderstorm Wind in CLARK, WISCONSIN
From 27-AUG-18 18:40:00 to 27-AUG-18 18:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: GLOBE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Several trees were blown down southwest of Christie.

Tornado in MONROE, WISCONSIN
From 27-AUG-18 19:23:00 to 27-AUG-18 19:29:00 (CST-6)
Location: WATERMILL
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

An EF1 tornado caused an intermittent damage path along and south of State Highway 21 between Tomah and Wyeville. The damage was limited to trees and a few power poles.

Thunderstorm Wind in JACKSON, WISCONSIN
From 27-AUG-18 18:21:00 to 27-AUG-18 18:21:00 (CST-6)
Location: PRICE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Trees were blown down in the Town of Cleveland. Some of the downed trees landed on vehicles.

Flood in CRAWFORD, WISCONSIN
From 29-AUG-18 16:50:00 to 31-AUG-18 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: STEUBEN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Runoff from heavy rain created historic flooding along the Kickapoo River in Steuben. The river established a new crest of record at 19.84 feet, which was over 7 feet above the flood stage. The flooding continued into early September.

Flood in MONROE, WISCONSIN
From 28-AUG-18 08:25:00 to 29-AUG-18 01:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: SPARTA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Runoff from heavy caused flooding to occur along the La Crosse River in Sparta. The river crested just over two feet above the flood stage at 10.71 feet.

Flood in LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN
From 28-AUG-18 04:00:00 to 31-AUG-18 21:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: MEDARY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Runoff from heavy rain caused flooding to occur along the La Crosse River near La Crosse. The river crested just over four feet above the flood stage at 11.8 feet.

Flood in JUNEAU, WISCONSIN
From 28-AUG-18 21:00:00 to 31-AUG-18 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: NEW LISBON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Runoff from heavy rain pushed the Lemonweir River out of its banks in New Lisbon. The river crested just under two feet above the flood stage at 11.85 feet.

Flash Flood in LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN
From 27-AUG-18 21:15:00 to 27-AUG-18 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LA CROSSE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 375.00K
Crop damage: 2.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Runoff from heavy rains produced street flooding in various locations around the city of La Crosse.  Travel in the city was severely impacted, water flowed into people's yards and lawns, and some cars became stranded in deeper intersections.

Flash Flood in LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN
From 27-AUG-18 23:49:00 to 28-AUG-18 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: CALVERT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 650.00K
Crop damage: 35.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Runoff from heavy rain caused flash flooding across the southern portions of La Crosse County. Homes were evacuated and roads closed along State Highway 35 south of La Crosse and County Road K near Goose Island Park. Flood waters from Mormon Creek were chest high in a mobile home part along U.S. Highways 14/61 southeast of La Crosse where water rescues had to be performed. The BNSF rail line was closed because of washouts between La Crosse and the Vernon County line. Sections of Highways 14/61 in the southern end of the county were damaged and had mudslides over them.

Flash Flood in MONROE, WISCONSIN
From 28-AUG-18 00:18:00 to 28-AUG-18 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LEON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 26.50M
Crop damage: 210.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Runoff from heavy rain caused flash flooding to occur across the southern sections of Monroe County. Near Melvina, a resident had to be rescued from a home surrounded by flood waters. Flooding was extreme along the Little La Crosse River along and just east of Highway 27 between Cashton and Sparta where numerous homes were flooded, rescues were needed, and roads were damaged.  Flooding along Moore Creek in Norwalk damaged some ballfields and the village office. In Kendall, a park along the Baraboo River was destroyed and a newly installed road to the village's wastewater treatment plant was washed out. Most of the flood damaged homes and business were along Glen Street. Across the county, 75 people had to be evacuated. At the Skogdalen cemetery, 90% of the gravestones markers were toppled, debris was up to 5 feet deep in places and ripped apart the road in front of the church. Numerous roads were closed, with most of these in the far southern part of the county in Portland, Jefferson, Sheldon, Wellington and Glendale Townships. Some of the impacted roads included: County Highway N, County Highway Z south of Wilton, County Highway P near Kendall, County Highway F south of Norwalk, County Highway D near Cashton, County Highway CM near Tomah, State Highway 33 east of Cashton, County Highway W north of Kendall, County Highway ET east of Tomah and County Highway F east of Melvina. The heavy rain and flooding caused three earthen flood control dams to fail and damaged three others.

Flash Flood in JUNEAU, WISCONSIN
From 28-AUG-18 02:35:00 to 28-AUG-18 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: UNION CENTER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 28.70M
Crop damage: 35.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Runoff from heavy rain caused extensive flooding to occur in Elroy from the Baraboo River. Between 25 and 30 homes had to be evacuated. Numerous homes had water several inches to a few feet deep in the basements. Nine homes likely will have to be torn down. Damages in Elroy totaled nearly $6.5 million. The flooding along the Baraboo River also hit Wonewoc hard causing officials to evacuate the western half of the town. Dozens of homes had water in the basements with at least 4 of them suffering collapsed walls. Flooding along the Lemonweir River near Mauston caused Interstates 90/94 to be closed in both directions and washed out a rail line that caused the eastbound Amtrak Empire Builder to be stopped near Tomah. Passengers had to remain on the stopped train overnight until repairs to the rail line were completed. Flooding in Mauston damaged some homes with at least one a total loss when a basement wall collapsed. Flood waters from Webster Creek covered portions of State Highway 80 between New Lisbon and Elroy. State Highway 33 was under water in places between Union Center and Wonewoc because of flood waters from the Baraboo River. State Highway 82 was closed between Elroy and Mauston due to flood waters from Cleaver Creek. Portions of State Highway 58 south of Mauston was covered in flood waters from Onemile and Stewart Creeks. U.S. Highway 12 was closed between Mauston and Lyndon Station because of flooding on the Lemonweir River. County highways across the southern part of the county that were closed included: N, G, HH and FF. Numerous local and township roads were also closed.

Flash Flood in ADAMS, WISCONSIN
From 28-AUG-18 03:30:00 to 28-AUG-18 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: EASTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 780.00K
Crop damage: 25.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Runoff from heavy rains produced flash flooding across the southern sections of Adams County. County Highway G was closed because of flooding along Big Spring Creek and water was over County Highway H near White Creek. Additional township roads were closed or had water over them.

Flood in VERNON, WISCONSIN
From 27-AUG-18 22:55:00 to 29-AUG-18 08:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: ONTARIO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Runoff from heavy rain created historic flooding along the Kickapoo River in Ontario. The river established a new crest of record that was estimated to be 28.5 feet, which was over 12 feet above the flood stage.

Flood in CRAWFORD, WISCONSIN
From 28-AUG-18 19:00:00 to 31-AUG-18 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: BELL CENTER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 8.50M
Crop damage: 140.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Runoff from heavy rain created historic flooding along the Kickapoo River in Gays Mills. The river established a new crest of record at 22.31 feet, which was over 9 feet above the flood stage. The flooding continued into early September.

Flood in VERNON, WISCONSIN
From 28-AUG-18 11:00:00 to 31-AUG-18 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: KICKAPOO CENTER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 6.50M
Crop damage: 16.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Runoff from heavy rain created historic flooding along the Kickapoo River in Viola. The river established a new crest of record at 23.72 feet, which was over 9 feet above the flood stage.

Flash Flood in VERNON, WISCONSIN
From 27-AUG-18 22:10:00 to 28-AUG-18 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: VICTORY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 28.30M
Crop damage: 250.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Heavy rain across the northern portion of Vernon County produced significant flash flooding. Over 200 people were evacuated in Coon Valley because of severe flooding along Coon Creek where U.S. Highway 14 and State Highway 162 were closed. All access into Coon Valley was cut off because of mudslides, washouts and closed roads. Numerous homes were severely damaged with basement walls blown out or had water several feet deep on the first floor. Much of Ontario was covered in flood waters from the Kickapoo River and Brush Creek with almost every business along Garden Street, State Highway 131 and the east end of Main Street sustaining damage. It was estimated that around 75% of the businesses in the entire village sustained some damage. The Ontario police squad car become submerged in flood waters and was destroyed. One boat rental business lost 40 canoes and 48 kayaks. Two campers along the Kickapoo River north of Rockton had to be rescued from flood waters that was neck high. Some residents were evacuated from Viola because of flooding along the Kickapoo River. A total of 350 water rescues were performed across the county. State Highway 131 was closed between Ontario and Rockton because of flood waters from the Kickapoo River where the asphalt was completely removed from the road bed in places or broken in large chunks and then moved up to eight feet from its original location. Numerous roads were closed because of the flooding or from mudslides. Flooding from Timber Coulee Creek washed out over 20 power poles north of Westby. The BNSF rail line was closed because of washouts between Stoddard and the La Crosse County line. The heavy rain and flooding caused two earthen flood control dams to fail and damaged four others.  This prompted the evacuation and rescue of residents downstream from the dams, including the communities of Avalanche and Liberty. Wildcat Mountain State Park was closed because of the heavy rain as well.

Flood in VERNON, WISCONSIN
From 28-AUG-18 09:25:00 to 31-AUG-18 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: READSTOWN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 4.50M
Crop damage: 15.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Runoff from heavy rain created historic flooding along the Kickapoo River in Readstown. The river established a new crest of record at 23.17 feet, which was over 12 feet above the flood stage. The flooding continued into early September.

Flood in VERNON, WISCONSIN
From 28-AUG-18 06:35:00 to 29-AUG-18 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: LA FARGE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 1.20M
Crop damage: 3.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Runoff from heavy rain created historic flooding along the Kickapoo River in La Farge. The river established a new crest of record that was estimated to be 19.42 feet, which was over 7 feet above the flood stage.

Flood in CRAWFORD, WISCONSIN
From 28-AUG-18 16:15:00 to 31-AUG-18 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: SOLDIERS GROVE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 450.00K
Crop damage: 22.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Runoff from heavy rain created historic flooding along the Kickapoo River in Soldiers Grove. The river crested at its second highest level at 21.06 feet, which was over 8 feet above the flood stage. The flooding ended just after midnight on September 1st and no entry will be made in September for this site.