Alert archive / Wisconsin / Flash Flood Warnings in 2017

Flash Flood Warning 12, NWS La Crosse, WI

July 20, 2017Jackson County, La Crosse County, Monroe County, Wisconsin; Houston County, Winona County, Minnesota

NWS La Crosse, WI issued this flash flood warning at Jul 20, 2017, 2:20 AM CDT for Jackson County, La Crosse County, Monroe County, Wisconsin; Houston County, Winona County, Minnesota. It was in force for 6 hr. 19 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued: Jul 20, 2017, 2:20 AM CDT (07:20 UTC)
Expired: Jul 20, 2017, 8:15 AM CDT
In force: 6 hr
Issued by: NWS La Crosse, WI
Area: Storm-based polygon
Flood severity: None

Counties Houston County, MN, Winona County, MN, Jackson County, WI, La Crosse County, WI, Monroe County, WI

The radar

The La Crosse radar (KARX), 20 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 07:23 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

Time	Report	Where	Remark
Jul 20, 2:46 AM CDT	FLASH FLOOD	2 S La Crosse, WI	SEVERAL STREETS UNDERWATER IN LA CROSSE.
Jul 20, 2:46 AM CDT	FLASH FLOOD	2 Ssw La Crosse, WI	SEVERAL STREETS UNDERWATER IN LA CROSSE.
Jul 20, 2:55 AM CDT	FLASH FLOOD	2 Nnw Onalaska, WI	SAND LAKE ROAD WAS COMPLETELY COVERED BY FLOOD WATERS NEAR CEDAR CREEK GOLF COURSE AND THE INTERSECTION OF 10TH AVENUE AND QUINCY STREET IN ONALASKA WAS FLOODED.
Jul 20, 3:08 AM CDT	HEAVY RAIN 4.1	1 Sw Cataract, WI	STORM TOTAL.
Jul 20, 3:08 AM CDT	HEAVY RAIN 4.1	Cataract, WI	STORM TOTAL.
Jul 20, 3:26 AM CDT	HEAVY RAIN 4.98	1 Wsw West Salem, WI	STORM TOTAL SO FAR, STILL RAINING.
Jul 20, 3:26 AM CDT	HEAVY RAIN 4.98	1 W West Salem, WI	STORM TOTAL SO FAR, STILL RAINING.
Jul 20, 4:26 AM CDT	FLASH FLOOD	3 Wnw La Crescent, MN	MUDSLIDE AT BURNS VALLEY ROAD NEAR THE PINE CREEK GOLF COURSE
Jul 20, 4:26 AM CDT	FLASH FLOOD	3 Wnw La Crescent, MN	MUDSLIDE AT BURNS VALLEY ROAD NEAR THE PINE CREEK GOLF COURSE.
Jul 20, 4:47 AM CDT	FLASH FLOOD	3 Ese Barre Mills, WI	TOWN OF SHELBY FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS EVACUATING PEOPLE FROM HOMES ALONG COUNTY M IN GREENFIELD, INCLUDING HAVING TO USE A BOAT.
Jul 20, 4:47 AM CDT	FLASH FLOOD	3 Nnw Saint Joseph, WI	TOWN OF SHELBY FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS EVACUATING PEOPLE FROM HOMES ALONG COUNTY M IN GREENFIELD, INCLUDING HAVING TO USE A BOAT.
Jul 20, 5:37 AM CDT	FLASH FLOOD	2 Wsw Rockland, WI	COUNTY ROAD U BETWEEN BANGOR AND ROCKLAND CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING. RELAYED VIA BROADCAST MEDIA.
Jul 20, 5:39 AM CDT	FLASH FLOOD	2 Ese Onalaska, WI	N. KINNEY COULEE ROAD CLOSED DUE TO WASHOUTS AND DOWNED TREES. RELAYED VIA BROADCAST MEDIA.
Jul 20, 5:39 AM CDT	FLASH FLOOD	3 Ese Onalaska, WI	N. KINNEY COULEE ROAD CLOSED DUE TO WASHOUTS AND DOWNED TREES. RELAYED VIA BROADCAST MEDIA.
Jul 20, 6:21 AM CDT	HEAVY RAIN 4.5	1 N Bangor, WI
Jul 20, 6:21 AM CDT	HEAVY RAIN 4.5	Bangor, WI
Jul 20, 7:15 AM CDT	HEAVY RAIN 5.6	3 Sw Melrose, WI
Jul 20, 7:57 AM CDT	FLOOD	4 S Barre Mills, WI	BREIDEL COULEE ROAD WASHED OUT WHERE IT CROSSES MORMON CREEK. BRIDGE IS INTACT BUT WASHED OUT ON BOTH SIDES.
Jul 20, 8:08 AM CDT	FLASH FLOOD	Sparta, WI	WATER BEGINNING TO GO OVER A FEW ROADS IN SPARTA.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 00:00Z, 7.3 hours before the alert went out and 212 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.

Mixed-layer CAPE: 14 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -693 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1310 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 65 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 186 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 251 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

215 
WGUS53 KARX 200720
FFWARX
MNC055-169-WIC053-063-081-201015-
/O.NEW.KARX.FF.W.0012.170720T0720Z-170720T1015Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
220 AM CDT THU JUL 20 2017

The National Weather Service in La Crosse has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Southeastern Winona County in southeastern Minnesota...
  Northeastern Houston County in southeastern Minnesota...
  La Crosse County in west central Wisconsin...
  Southwestern Jackson County in west central Wisconsin...
  Southwestern Monroe County in west central Wisconsin...

* Until 515 AM CDT

* At 219 AM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain across the warned area. Up to three inches of rain have
  already fallen. Flash flooding is expected to begin shortly.

* Some locations that will experience flooding include...
  La Crosse, Sparta, La Crescent, Onalaska, Holmen, West Salem,
  Bangor, Cashton, North Bend, Dakota, Cataract, La Crosse Airport,
  Brice Prairie, French Island, Franklin, Medary, Leon, Portland,
  Burns and Norwalk.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.

&&

LAT...LON 4372 9127 4397 9159 4400 9144 4398 9142
      4399 9132 4403 9134 4407 9131 4406 9128
      4407 9127 4405 9122 4409 9120 4408 9115
      4430 9117 4415 9086 4373 9031

$$

Wetenkamp

3 follow-up statements

919 
WGUS73 KARX 200824
FFSARX

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
324 AM CDT THU JUL 20 2017

MNC055-169-WIC053-063-081-201015-
/O.CON.KARX.FF.W.0012.000000T0000Z-170720T1015Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Winona MN-Houston MN-La Crosse WI-Jackson WI-Monroe WI-
324 AM CDT THU JUL 20 2017

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 AM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN WINONA...NORTHEASTERN HOUSTON...LA CROSSE...SOUTHWESTERN
JACKSON AND SOUTHWESTERN MONROE COUNTIES...

At 323 AM CDT, local law enforcement reported flooding across the 
area including some mud slides. Up to three inches of rain have 
already fallen. Flash flooding is occurring.

Excessive rainfall over the warned area will cause mud slides near
steep terrain. The mud slide can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and
other loose materials.

Some locations that will experience flooding include...
La Crosse, Sparta, La Crescent, Onalaska, Holmen, West Salem, Bangor,
Cashton, North Bend, Dakota, Cataract, La Crosse Airport, Brice
Prairie, French Island, Franklin, Medary, Leon, Portland, Burns and
Norwalk.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.

&&

LAT...LON 4372 9127 4397 9159 4400 9144 4398 9142
      4399 9132 4403 9134 4407 9131 4406 9128
      4407 9127 4405 9122 4409 9120 4408 9115
      4430 9117 4415 9086 4373 9031

$$

Wetenkamp

326 
WGUS73 KARX 200831 CCA
FFSARX

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
331 AM CDT THU JUL 20 2017

MNC055-169-WIC053-063-081-201015-
/O.COR.KARX.FF.W.0012.000000T0000Z-170720T1015Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Winona MN-Houston MN-La Crosse WI-Jackson WI-Monroe WI-
331 AM CDT THU JUL 20 2017

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 AM CDT FOR
SOUTHEASTERN WINONA...NORTHEASTERN HOUSTON...LA CROSSE...SOUTHWESTERN
JACKSON AND SOUTHWESTERN MONROE COUNTIES...

At 329 AM CDT, local law enforcement reported flash flooding across 
the area. Vehicles have been stranded in high water, mud slides have 
been reported, and some roads are under water.  A National Weather 
Service employee reported 4.98 inches of rain so far in West Salem.  

Those heading out for the morning commute, be aware of water over 
roadways and don't drive through flood waters.  Please heed road 
closures. Some roads may be washed out.

Excessive rainfall over the warned area will cause mud slides near
steep terrain. The mud slide can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and
other loose materials.

Some locations that will experience flooding include...
La Crosse, Sparta, La Crescent, Onalaska, Holmen, West Salem, Bangor,
Cashton, North Bend, Dakota, Cataract, La Crosse Airport, Brice
Prairie, French Island, Franklin, Medary, Leon, Portland, Burns and
Norwalk.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.

&&

LAT...LON 4372 9127 4397 9159 4400 9144 4398 9142
      4399 9132 4403 9134 4407 9131 4406 9128
      4407 9127 4405 9122 4409 9120 4408 9115
      4430 9117 4415 9086 4373 9031

$$

Wetenkamp

954 
WGUS53 KARX 201009
FFWARX
MNC055-169-WIC053-063-081-201315-
/O.EXT.KARX.FF.W.0012.000000T0000Z-170720T1315Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
509 AM CDT THU JUL 20 2017

The National Weather Service in La Crosse has extended the

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Southeastern Winona County in southeastern Minnesota...
  Northeastern Houston County in southeastern Minnesota...
  La Crosse County in west central Wisconsin...
  Southwestern Jackson County in west central Wisconsin...
  Southwestern Monroe County in west central Wisconsin...

* Until 815 AM CDT

* At 502 AM CDT, numerous reports of flooded streets, rock slides 
  and mudslides have been received from local law enforcement across 
  the warned area. Additionally, on County M in the area of 
  Greenfield in La Crosse county, people were evacuated from homes. 
  The flooding is a result of 3 to 6 inches of rain that occurred 
  overnight.

* Some locations that will experience flooding include...
  La Crosse, Sparta, La Crescent, Onalaska, Holmen, West Salem, 
  Bangor, Cashton, North Bend, Dakota, Cataract, Brice Prairie, 
  French Island, Franklin, Medary, Portland, Burns and Norwalk.

For those commuting this morning, be prepared to take alternate 
routes as some roads are either closed or impassible. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

&&

LAT...LON 4372 9127 4397 9159 4400 9144 4398 9142
      4399 9132 4403 9134 4407 9131 4406 9128
      4407 9127 4405 9122 4409 9120 4408 9115
      4430 9117 4415 9086 4373 9031

$$

AJ

The office that day

Everything else NWS La Crosse, WI issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Jul 19, 7:02 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ARX	Richland, Vernon	58 min
Jul 19, 7:20 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ARX	Crawford, Grant, Richland	55 min
Jul 19, 8:03 PM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ARX	Richland	27 min
Jul 19, 9:44 PM CDT	Flash Flood Watch	ARX	Buffalo, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Trempealeau	9 hr
Jul 19, 10:15 PM CDT	River Flood Warning	ARX	Buffalo, Trempealeau	6 days
Jul 19, 10:59 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	ARX	Buffalo, Trempealeau	61 min
Jul 19, 11:38 PM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	ARX	Buffalo, Trempealeau	3 hr
Jul 19, 11:42 PM CDT	Special Weather Statement	ARX	La Crosse, Vernon	48 min
Jul 20, 12:09 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ARX	Buffalo, La Crosse, Trempealeau	51 min
Jul 20, 12:39 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ARX	La Crosse, Monroe, Vernon	34 min
Jul 20, 1:28 AM CDT	River Flood Warning	ARX	Monroe, Vernon	52 hr
Jul 20, 2:02 AM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	ARX	Buffalo, Trempealeau	6 hr
Jul 20, 2:13 AM CDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	ARX	La Crosse, Trempealeau	47 min
Jul 20, 2:50 AM CDT	Special Weather Statement	ARX	Vernon	40 min
Jul 20, 3:00 AM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	ARX	Crawford, Juneau, Richland, Vernon	6 hr
Jul 20, 3:01 AM CDT	River Flood Warning	ARX	Richland, Vernon	51 hr
Jul 20, 3:01 AM CDT	River Flood Warning	ARX	Richland, Vernon	4 days
Jul 20, 3:01 AM CDT	River Flood Warning	ARX	Vernon	5 days
Jul 20, 3:01 AM CDT	River Flood Warning	ARX	Crawford	5 days
Jul 20, 3:01 AM CDT	River Flood Warning	ARX	Crawford	7 days
Jul 20, 3:01 AM CDT	River Flood Warning	ARX	Crawford	8 days
Jul 20, 3:03 AM CDT	River Flood Warning	ARX	Buffalo, Trempealeau	47 hr
Jul 20, 8:17 AM CDT	Areal Flood Warning	ARX	Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe	6 hr
Jul 20, 8:28 AM CDT	Areal Flood Warning	ARX	Buffalo, Trempealeau	6 hr
Jul 20, 8:59 AM CDT	Areal Flood Warning	ARX	Crawford, Juneau, Richland, Vernon	12 hr
Jul 20, 11:31 AM CDT	Flash Flood Watch	ARX	Adams, Buffalo, Crawford, Grant, Jackson, Juneau and 5 more	40 hr
Jul 20, 2:17 PM CDT	Areal Flood Warning	ARX	Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe	6 hr
Jul 20, 2:26 PM CDT	Areal Flood Warning	ARX	Buffalo, Trempealeau	6 hr
Jul 19, 8:18 PM CDT	River Flood Warning	ARX	Olmsted, Winona	23 hr
Jul 20, 1:29 AM CDT	Flash Flood Warning	ARX	Wabasha, Winona	4 hr
Jul 20, 5:24 AM CDT	Areal Flood Warning	ARX	Winona	3 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Wisconsin, 2017 Flash Flood Warnings in Minnesota, 2017 Every flash flood warning in 2017

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.