Alert archive / Wisconsin / Flash Flood Warnings in 2017

Flash Flood Warning 13, NWS La Crosse, WI

July 20, 20174 counties in Wisconsin

NWS La Crosse, WI issued this flash flood warning at Jul 20, 2017, 3:00 AM CDT for 4 counties in Wisconsin. It was in force for 6 hr. 9 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, 3:00 AM CDT (08:00 UTC)
Expired
Jul 20, 2017, 9:00 AM CDT
In force
6 hr
Issued by
NWS La Crosse, WI
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Crawford County, WI, Juneau County, WI, Richland County, WI, Vernon County, WI

The radar

The La Crosse radar (KARX), 48 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 08:00 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

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jul 20, 4:00 AM CDTFLASH FLOODOntario, WIMAJOR FLOODING IN ONTARIO. INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY 33 AND 131 CLOSED.
Jul 20, 6:35 AM CDTFLASH FLOOD2 S Rockbridge, WISTATE HIGHWAY 80 IS CLOSED AT COUNTY ROAD D BECAUSE OF FLOODING ALONG THE PINE RIVER.
Jul 20, 6:35 AM CDTHEAVY RAIN 7Hillsboro, WIRELAYED VIA WKBT.
Jul 20, 7:43 AM CDTFLASH FLOODRichland Center, WIPINE RIVER HAS RISEN OUT OF ITS BANKS
Jul 20, 7:43 AM CDTFLASH FLOODRichland Center, WIPINE RIVER HAS RISEN OUT OF ITS BANKS.
Jul 20, 7:43 AM CDTFLASH FLOODYuba, WISANDBAGGING GOING ON IN YUBA.
Jul 20, 8:00 AM CDTFLOODOntario, WITOWN UNDER WATER DUE TO FLOODING ALONG KICKAPOO RIVER...REFLECTED IN PICTURES RECEIVED AND FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTS.
Jul 20, 8:27 AM CDTHEAVY RAIN 5.53 Nne Westby, WI
Jul 20, 8:27 AM CDTHEAVY RAIN 5.54 Ssw Cashton, WI

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

The nearest sounding before it

Davenport, (KDVN), launched 00:00Z, 8.0 hours before the alert went out and 221 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-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Davenport, at 00:00Z on 2017-07-20Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1032 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Davenport, at 00:00Z on 2017-07-20The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 6 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
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
1032 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-76 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1506 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
27 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
6 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
102 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

095 
WGUS53 KARX 200800
FFWARX
WIC023-057-103-123-201100-
/O.NEW.KARX.FF.W.0013.170720T0800Z-170720T1100Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

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

The National Weather Service in La Crosse has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Southwestern Juneau County in central Wisconsin...
  Vernon County in southwestern Wisconsin...
  Richland County in southwestern Wisconsin...
  Northeastern Crawford County in southwestern Wisconsin...

* Until 600 AM CDT

* At 259 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...
  Richland Center, Viroqua, Westby, Elroy, Hillsboro, Wonewoc,
  Stoddard, Coon Valley, La Farge, Clayton, Brownsville, Germantown,
  Newton, Springville, Rockbridge, Viola, Ithaca, Soldiers Grove,
  Sylvan and Ontario.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the 
dangers of flooding.  Never attempt to cross flood waters by vehicle 
or on foot! 

&&

LAT...LON 4364 9031 4355 9031 4355 9019 4325 9019
      4351 9122 4354 9125 4358 9123 4361 9127
      4371 9127 4373 9126 4373 9043 4375 9025
      4364 9010

$$

Wetenkamp
3 follow-up statements
045 
WGUS73 KARX 200836
FFSARX

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

WIC023-057-103-123-201100-
/O.CON.KARX.FF.W.0013.000000T0000Z-170720T1100Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Juneau WI-Vernon WI-Richland WI-Crawford WI-
336 AM CDT THU JUL 20 2017

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 600 AM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN JUNEAU...VERNON...RICHLAND AND NORTHEASTERN CRAWFORD
COUNTIES...

At 333 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.

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...
Richland Center, Viroqua, Westby, Elroy, Hillsboro, Wonewoc,
Stoddard, Coon Valley, La Farge, Clayton, Brownsville, Germantown,
Newton, Springville, Rockbridge, Viola, Ithaca, Soldiers Grove,
Sylvan and Ontario.

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 4364 9031 4355 9031 4355 9019 4325 9019
      4351 9122 4354 9125 4358 9123 4361 9127
      4371 9127 4373 9126 4373 9043 4375 9025
      4364 9010

$$

Wetenkamp
000 
WGUS53 KARX 201057
FFWARX
WIC023-057-103-123-201400-
/O.EXT.KARX.FF.W.0013.000000T0000Z-170720T1400Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

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

The National Weather Service in La Crosse has extended the

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Far southwestern Juneau County in central Wisconsin... 
  Vernon County in southwestern Wisconsin...  
  Richland County in southwestern Wisconsin...
  Far northeastern Crawford County in southwestern Wisconsin...

* Until 900 AM CDT

* At 551 AM CDT, local law enforcement reported some roads closed, 
  along with other roads with mudslides and water on them. The 
  Kickapoo River area, from Ontario to La Farge, has been especially 
  hard hit. The flooding issues are a result of 3 to 6 inches of 
  rain that fell overnight.

* Some locations that will experience flooding include...
  Richland Center, Viroqua, Westby, Elroy, Hillsboro, Wonewoc,
  Stoddard, Coon Valley, La Farge, Clayton, Brownsville, Germantown,
  Newton, Springville, Rockbridge, Viola, Ithaca, Soldiers Grove,
  Sylvan and Ontario.

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 4364 9031 4355 9031 4355 9019 4325 9019
      4351 9122 4354 9125 4358 9123 4361 9127
      4371 9127 4373 9126 4373 9043 4375 9025
      4364 9010

$$

AJ
776 
WGUS73 KARX 201248
FFSARX

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

WIC023-057-103-123-201400-
/O.CON.KARX.FF.W.0013.000000T0000Z-170720T1400Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Juneau WI-Vernon WI-Richland WI-Crawford WI-
748 AM CDT THU JUL 20 2017

...THE FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 AM CDT FOR
SOUTHWESTERN JUNEAU...VERNON...RICHLAND AND NORTHEASTERN CRAWFORD
COUNTIES...

At 743 AM CDT, local law enforcement in Richand County reported that 
the Pine River is out of its banks, sandbagging was occurring near 
Yuba, and state highway 80 is closed at County Road D. Elsewhere, 
numerous roads remain closed, with the Ontario to La Farge area 
particularly hard hit because of major flooding on the Kickapoo 
River. The flooding is a result of 3 to 7 inches of rain that fell 
overnight.

Some locations that will experience flooding include...
Richland Center, Viroqua, Westby, Elroy, Hillsboro, Wonewoc,
Stoddard, Coon Valley, La Farge, Clayton, Brownsville, Germantown,
Newton, Springville, Rockbridge, Viola, Ithaca, Soldiers Grove,
Sylvan and Ontario.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 4364 9031 4355 9031 4355 9019 4325 9019
      4351 9122 4354 9125 4358 9123 4361 9127
      4371 9127 4373 9126 4373 9043 4375 9025
      4364 9010

$$

AJ

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 19, 7:02 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningARXRichland, Vernon58 min
Jul 19, 7:20 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningARXCrawford, Grant, Richland55 min
Jul 19, 8:03 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningARXRichland27 min
Jul 19, 9:44 PM CDTFlash Flood WatchARXBuffalo, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Trempealeau9 hr
Jul 19, 10:15 PM CDTRiver Flood WarningARXBuffalo, Trempealeau6 days
Jul 19, 10:59 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementARXBuffalo, Trempealeau61 min
Jul 19, 11:38 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningARXBuffalo, Trempealeau3 hr
Jul 19, 11:42 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementARXLa Crosse, Vernon48 min
Jul 20, 12:09 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningARXBuffalo, La Crosse, Trempealeau51 min
Jul 20, 12:39 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningARXLa Crosse, Monroe, Vernon34 min
Jul 20, 1:28 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningARXMonroe, Vernon52 hr
Jul 20, 2:02 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningARXBuffalo, Trempealeau6 hr
Jul 20, 2:13 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningARXLa Crosse, Trempealeau47 min
Jul 20, 2:20 AM CDTFlash Flood WarningARXJackson, La Crosse, Monroe6 hr
Jul 20, 2:50 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementARXVernon40 min
Jul 20, 3:01 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningARXRichland, Vernon51 hr
Jul 20, 3:01 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningARXRichland, Vernon4 days
Jul 20, 3:01 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningARXVernon5 days
Jul 20, 3:01 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningARXCrawford5 days
Jul 20, 3:01 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningARXCrawford7 days
Jul 20, 3:01 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningARXCrawford8 days
Jul 20, 3:03 AM CDTRiver Flood WarningARXBuffalo, Trempealeau47 hr
Jul 20, 8:17 AM CDTAreal Flood WarningARXJackson, La Crosse, Monroe6 hr
Jul 20, 8:28 AM CDTAreal Flood WarningARXBuffalo, Trempealeau6 hr
Jul 20, 8:59 AM CDTAreal Flood WarningARXCrawford, Juneau, Richland, Vernon12 hr
Jul 20, 11:31 AM CDTFlash Flood WatchARXAdams, Buffalo, Crawford, Grant, Jackson, Juneau and 5 more40 hr
Jul 20, 2:17 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningARXJackson, La Crosse, Monroe6 hr
Jul 20, 2:26 PM CDTAreal Flood WarningARXBuffalo, Trempealeau6 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Wisconsin, 2017Every 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.