Flash Flood, Sauk
- When
- June 9, 8:00 AM CST to 2:00 PM CST
- Where
- Sauk County, 1 mi NE of Lake Delton to 1 mi NW of Lake Delton
- Cause
- Dam / Levee Break
- Property damage
- $22 million
- Crop damage
- $15 million
- Reported by
- Law Enforcement
- Coordinates
- 43.590, -89.766
Sauk County experienced 4 flash flood events over a 3-day period. Two of the events started on June 7th, one on June 8th, and the last one on June 9th. In each case, flash flooding caused home and business damage as well as crop losses. Roads were blocked or washed out (STH 154 and CTH C), and bridges were damaged. Many vehicles stalled. Locations in the Baraboo River Valley sustained considerable damage as the river crested at all-time levels. Collectively, each of these 4 flash floods resulted in home and business damage along with some crop losses. It was nearly impossible to break down the damages by flash flood event. Therefore, the collective breakdown is provided in the June 9th StormData entry for Sauk County.
On June 9th, the levee holding back Lake Delton eroded over a 5 hour periiod and eventually broke (the actual dam held), allowing Lake Delton to empty into the Wisconsin River. A 300-foot section of CTH near the breach was washed away. At least 4 homes were washed away, and damage was inflicted on boats and piers. There were no injuries or fatalities.
The breakdown for residential home losses for the 3-day period were: over 800 minimally affected, 45 with major damage, and 31 destroyed (total of $19.2 million for home losses). Business losses are estimated to be about $1 million. Crop losses were estimated at $15 million. Public sector damage was about $2.25 million. Several roads and bridges sustained damage.