Flash Flood in Wisconsin, July 18, 1996

Flash flooding occurred in the villages of Blanchardville and Argyle due to rainfalls of 6 to 7 inches within a 4 to 5 hour period. These rains were the result of thunderstorms developing in Lafayette and Iowa counties, and then training ESE into the Blanchardville area. In Blanchardville a bridge was washed out, and two roads under construction sustained major damage to their curb and gutter segments. Just east of Argyle, on Highway 81, a 200 foot section of the highway's gravel shoulder was washed away by flood waters. Rural farm land, especially along the east branch of the Pecatonica River in eastern Lafayette county, also sustained some soil and crop damage. In Blanchardville, the east branch of the Pecatonica River crested at 14.47 feet at 2245CST on the 18th, or 3.47 feet above flood stage. At this location the river exceed flood stage at 0300CST on the 18th and finally went below flood stage at 2045CST on July 19th.