A stationary front set up across central Wisconsin on the evening of September 22nd. As an unusually moist air mass flowed over this boundary, heavy rain developed and fell repeatedly across the area during the evening and overnight hours.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS ARX wrote it up.
A stationary front set up across central Wisconsin on the evening of September 22nd. As an unusually moist air mass flowed over this boundary, heavy rain developed and fell repeatedly across the area during the evening and overnight hours. Soils were abnormally wet for this time of year, therefore the extreme rainfall amounts that fell caused significant widespread flooding and flash flooding. Buffalo, Trempealeau, Jackson, Taylor, Clark, and Juneau counties were included in federal disaster declarations (FEMA-1933-DR).
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS La Crosse, WI wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Sep 22, 1:58 PM CST, 1 hour 2 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
258 PM CDT WED SEP 22 2010
.SHORT TERM...TONIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT
MAIN FORECAST CONCERNS THIS PACKAGE...CONVECTION AND HEAVY RAIN
POTENTIAL TONIGHT INTO THU NIGHT...SHRA CHANCE SAT INTO SAT NIGHT...
TEMPERATURES.
DATA ANALYSIS AT 18Z HAD LOW PRESSURE IN EASTERN CO/WY...WITH
STRONGEST 3HR PRESSURE FALLS OF 2-3MB OVER SOUTHEAST ND TO EASTERN
NEB. THIS AIDED BY A SHORTWAVE SEEN IN WV IMAGERY NEAR THE NEB/SD
BORDER...WHICH APPEARS BEST HANDLED BY THE NAM WHICH IS STILL TOO
FAR NORTH WITH IT. A DIFFUSE WARM FRONT EXTENDED FROM NEAR KSUX
SOUTHEAST ACROSS IA TO NORTHERN IL. UPPER LEVEL DYNAMICS/DIVERGENCE
WITH THE SHORTWAVE...INCREASING 925-850MB MOISTURE TRANSPORT ON NOSE
OF AN INCREASING LOW LEVEL JET AND INCREASING INSTABILITY IN THE
INFLOW AIRMASS FUELING A COMPLEX OF TSRA WEST OF THE FCST AREA EARLY
THIS AFTERNOON. FCST MODELS NOT DOING EXCEPTIONALLY WELL WITH THIS
COMPLEX EARLY THIS AFTERNOON...BUT FOR MOST OF THE LOCAL/REGIONAL
WRF MODELS.
22.12Z MODEL RUNS INITIALIZED QUITE WELL AND OFFER RATHER SIMILAR
SOLUTIONS FOR TONIGHT INTO SAT NIGHT. STILL SOME MESO-SCALE
DIFFERENCES WHERE THE WARM FRONT ENDS UP AND RESULTING AXIS OF
CONVECTION AND GREATEST THREAT OF HEAVY/EXCESSIVE RAINS...BUT LESS
SO THAT THE TUE RUNS. DPROG/DT OF 500MB HGTS AT 22.12Z SHOWED MODEL
RUNS OF 20.12Z AND 21.12Z VERIFIED RATHER WELL ACROSS NOAM/EASTERN
PAC WITH MODELS TRENDING TOWARD A COMPROMISE OF THEIR EARLIER RUNS.
TREND CONTINUES TOWARD A COMPROMISE OF EARLIER RUNS THRU 36HRS...
FAVORING THE STRONGER OF THE EARLIER RUNS AS THE TROUGH MOVES INTO
THE CENTRAL/NORTHERN PLAINS. BETTER CONSENSUS IN THE 36-60HR PERIOD
AS THE TROUGH CROSSES THE REGION...AGAIN TOWARD A COMPROMISE OF THE
EARLIER RUNS...ESPECIALLY ON THE TIMING. TREND IS STRONGER WITH THE
NEXT SHORTWAVE TROUGH DROPPING INTO THE NORTHERN PLAINS. BETTER
CONSENSUS IN THE 60-84HR TIME-FRAME FAVORS A STRONGER/SLOWER
SOLUTION WITH THE NORTHERN STREAM SHORTWAVE DROPPING INTO THE
REGION. ECMWF WITH THE BETTER RUN-TO-RUN CONSISTENCY IN THE 36-84HR
PERIOD. CHECK OF OBS VS. MODEL DATA AT 18Z SHOWED MODELS REASONABLE
WITH THE SFC MASS FIELDS ACROSS THE CENTRAL CONUS. PER WV IMAGERY...
MODELS STRUGGLING WITH THE SHORTWAVE AIDING THE CONVECTIVE COMPLEX
WEST OF THE FCST AREA...GEM/GFS APPEAR TOO FAR EAST..NAM TOO FAR
NORTHWEST. AGAIN...MOST MODELS EXCEPT A FEW OF THE LOCAL/REGIONAL
WRF MODELS STRUGGLING WITH THE SOUTHEAST SD/NORTHWEST IA/SOUTHWEST
MN CONVECTION THIS MORNING/EARLY THIS AFTERNOON. MOST WEAK/SLOW AND
APPEAR THEY WILL BE TOO FAR NORTH WITH THE PRECIP IN THE 18-00Z
TIME-FRAME. THAT SAID...GENERALLY FAVORED THE MODEL/ENSEMBLE
CONSENSUS...LEANING TOWARD THE MORE SOUTHERLY SOLUTIONS WITH THE
HEAVY RAIN TONIGHT INTO THU NIGHT. GIVEN THE DIFFERENCES...AND
SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS TO THE SENSIBLE WEATHER THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS...
SHORT-TERM FCST CONFIDENCE AVERAGE THIS CYCLE.
IN THE SHORT TERM...LOW LEVEL JET/MOISTURE TRANSPORT CONTINUES TO
INCREASE INTO THE SHRA/TSRA COMPLEX WEST OF THE AREA THIS AFTERNOON/
EVENING...MOVING EAST/NORTHEAST AS THE SD/NEB SHORTWAVE TRACKS EAST-
NORTHEAST THRU THIS EVENING. WITH CONVECTION SOUTH/REMAINING SOUTH
OF MOST MODEL TRACKS...HAVE INCREASED RAIN CHANCES THIS EVENING TO
80-100 PERCENT OVER THE NORTHWEST HALF OF THE FCST AREA. WITH
STORMS IN KFSD AREA ALREADY HAVING A HISTORY OF HEAVY RAINS...PW
VALUES/MOISTURE TRANSPORT OF THE INFLOW AIRMASS INCREASING THRU THIS
EVENING...WARM CLOUD DEPTH OF AROUND 4.5KM FOR DEEP WARM-RAIN
PROCESS...EXPANDED FLOOD WATCH SOUTHWARD TO ALL OF SOUTHEAST MN TO
LSE AND MONROE COUNTIES IN WI...STARTING 00Z WEST OF THE MS RIVER.
SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE STORMS THIS EVENING...WITH LARGE HAIL THE MAIN
THREAT. SEE SWODY1 FOR DETAILS. LEAD SHORTWAVE TRACKS NORTHEAST OF
THE AREA LATER TONIGHT...WITH PERHAPS A BREAK FROM THE DEEP
FORCING/LIFT INTO THU MORNING. WITH NEXT STRONG SHORTWAVE AND THE
SFC LOW HEADED TOWARD THE AREA THU...LOW LEVEL JET QUICKLY BACKS AND
REFOCUSES TO FUEL CONVECTION AHEAD OF THE LOW/SHORTWAVE. DEEP/
STRONG FORCING/LIFT WITH THIS SYSTEM OVER THE AREA FOR THU...WITH AN
AIRMASS WITH PW VALUES OF 2 INCHES OR MORE...SOME 250 PERCENT OF
NORMAL...TO ACT UPON. WARM CLOUD DEPTH REMAINS AROUND 4.5KM...WITH
RAINFALL RATES OF 2+ INCHES/HR POSSIBLE. ANY OF THIS RAIN ON TOP OF
RAIN THAT FALLS TONIGHT COULD AND WOULD LIKELY PRODUCE SIGNIFICANT
RUNOFF. HOWEVER...WHERE THE HEAVIEST RAIN IS LIKELY TO FALL REMAINS
IN QUESTION...DEPENDING ON WHERE THE IA/NORTHERN IL WARM FRONT ENDS
UP. ANY ONGOING CONVECTION TONIGHT/EARLY THU WILL PREVENT THIS
BOUNDARY FROM MOVING AS FAR NORTH AS MANY MODELS INDICATE...AND
WOULD MOVE THE HEAVY RAIN THREAT FURTHER SOUTH INTO THE FCST AREA.
FLOOD WATCH FOR ROUGHLY THE NORTHWEST HALF OF THE FCST AREA
CONTINUED THRU THU/THU NIGHT. SHRA/TSRA CHANCES OF 80-100 PERCENT
ACROSS THE NORTHWEST 2/3 OF THE FCST AREA THU. THE LOW TRACKS INTO
THE U.P OF MI BY 12Z FRI...DRAGGING THE TRAILING COLD FRONT ACROSS
THE FCST AREA ROUGHLY 02Z-07Z THU NIGHT...INTO THE UNSEASONABLY
MOIST AIRMASS. A LINE OF SHRA/TSRA EXPECTED TO ACCOMPANY THE FRONT
ACROSS THE AREA. DRYING/ SUBSIDENCE TO SPREAD ACROSS THE AREA LATER
THU NIGHT...WITH A RAPID DECREASE OF SHRA AND END OF TSRA ONCE IT
PASSES. WRAP AROUND 850-700MB MOISTURE AND MID LEVEL TROWAL ROTATE
ACROSS THE AREA FRI...WITH A LINGERING -SHRA CHANCE OVER MAINLY THE
NORTHEAST HALF OF THE FCST AREA FRI MORNING. WEAK RIDGE OF HIGH
PRESSURE FOR FRI NIGHT...WITH NEXT NORTHERN STREAM TROUGH ALREADY
DIGGING/AMPLIFYING TOWARD THE AREA FOR SAT/SAT NIGHT. WITH THE TREND
TOWARD A STRONGER MID LEVEL TROUGH TO MOVE ACROSS THE AREA SAT/SAT
NIGHT...RAISED/EXPANDED -SHRA CHANCE ACROSS THE FCST AREA FOR SAT
AFTERNOON AND ADDED A -SHRA CHANCE TO MOST OF THE FCST AREA FOR SAT
NIGHT.
GUIDANCE HIGHS/LOWS THRU THE PERIOD GENERALLY SIMILAR AND GENERALLY
FAVORED A COMPROMISE MOST PERIODS. WITH PLENTY OF CLOUDS/SHRA/TSRA
EXPECTED THU...TRENDED HIGHS A FEW DEGREES BELOW GUIDANCE VALUES
AND THIS MAY STILL NOT BE ENOUGH.
.LONG TERM...SUNDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY
ALL MEDIUM RANGE MODELS HAVE TRENDED TOWARD THE STRONGER...OUTLIER
LOOKING SOLUTIONS SHOWN BY THE ECMWF THEN GFS OVER THE PAST COUPLE
DAYS OF RUNS. IN SPITE OF THE STRONG SHIFT IN THE 22.00 MEDIUM RANGE
MODELS WITH THE SAT/SAT NIGHT SYSTEM...SENSIBLE WEATHER FCST FOR
DAYS 4-7 SHOWS SURPRISING CONTINUITY FROM FCST 24HRS AGO. WITH THE
TREND OF ALL MODELS TOWARD A STRONGER UPPER LOW TO SINK SOUTH ACROSS
THE REGION OVER THE WEEKEND...BE OVER THE MID MS VALLEY MON...THEN
SLOWLY LIFT NORTHEAST TUE/WED...MODEL RUN-TO-RUN CONSISTENCY WITH
MOST 20.00Z AND 21.00Z RUNS ON THE POOR SIDE. HOWEVER...ECMWF DOES
SHOW SOME MODEST RUN-TO-RUN CONSISTENCY BY LATE TUE AND WED WITH
TROUGHING OVER THE EASTERN CONUS. WITH THE UPPER LOW SINKING INTO
THE MID MS VALLEY SUN...MODELS DO SHOW SOME CONSISTENCY FOR
SHORTWAVE RIDGING ALOFT OVER THE UPPER MIDWEST SUN INTO MON. SOME
BETTER CONSISTENCY FOR A NORTHERN STREAM SHORTWAVE TO DROP INTO THE
REGION LATE MON INTO TUE...WITH SHORTWAVE RIDGING RETURNING FOR
LATER TUE AND WED. GIVEN THE STRONG TRENDS/SHIFTS IN MODELS SAT/
SUN...LONG-TERM FCST CONFIDENCE AVERAGE AT BEST THIS CYCLE. LIKE
HPC...PREFERRED A SOLUTION WEIGHTED TOWARD ECMWF WHICH LOOKS TO BEST
REPRESENT A COMPROMISE SOLUTION. SHORTWAVE RIDGING ALOFT AND SFC
HIGH PRESSURE ARE OVER THE REGION SUN/MON...FOR A CONTINUED DRY FCST
THESE DAYS. NORTHERN STREAM SHORTWAVE AND COLD FRONT FOR LATER
MON/MON NIGHT ARE SQUEEZED/WEAKENED AS THEY APPROACH AND THE MID MS
VALLEY LOW BEGINS TO LIFT NORTHEAST. CIRCULATION OF THIS SYSTEM MAY
IMPACT THE SOUTHEAST END OF THE FCST AREA AS IT PASSES MON NIGHT/
TUE. GIVEN LOW CONFIDENCE AND PLENTY OF MODEL UNCERTAINTY...WILL
LEAVE THESE PERIODS DRY AS WELL. SHORTWAVE RIDGING ALOFT AND HIGH
PRESSURE RETURN FOR WED. NUMERICAL TEMP GUIDANCE REASONABLY SIMILAR
THRU THE PERIOD AND LOOK GOOD...THOUGH DID FAVOR HPC GUIDANCE WHICH
INCORPORATED MORE OF THE ECMWF SOLUTION.
&&
.AVIATION...TONIGHT AND THURSDAY
CURRENTLY WATCHING A STRONG AREA OF LOW PRESSURE OVER THE CENTRAL
PLAINS LIFTING A WARM FRONT NORTHWARD INTO NORTHERN IA. STRONG
CONVECTION TAKING PLACE ALONG AND AHEAD OF THIS WARM FRONT AS LOW
LEVEL MOISTURE TRANSPORT INCREASES. THIS WILL CONTINUE TO FUEL
SHRA/TS ACTIVITY INTO THIS EVENING ACROSS SOUTHEAST MN/SOUTHWEST WI
INCLUDING THE KRST/KLSE TAF SITES. EXPECTING WIDESPREAD MVFR/IFR
CONDITION WITH ABUNDANT LOW LEVEL MOISTURE AND SHRA/TS ACTIVITY.
EXPECTING SHRA/TS ALONG WITH MVFR/IFR CONDITIONS TO REMAIN IN THE
VICINITY THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING AS THE WARM FRONT HANGS UP ALONG
THE I-90/94 CORRIDOR. THE COLD FRONT FROM THIS LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM
IS THEN EXPECTED TO SWEEP EASTWARD THROUGH THE AREA LATE THURSDAY
AFTERNOON/THURSDAY EVENING...FUELING MORE SHRA/TS ACTIVITY. LATER
SHIFTS WILL COVER THIS MORE IN DETAIL WITH SUBSEQUENT SETS OF
TAFS.
&&
.HYDROLOGY...TONIGHT AND THURSDAY
A STRONG LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM AND SHORTWAVE TROUGH WILL MOVE INTO
THE CENTRAL PLAINS TONIGHT THEN INTO MN THU. A VERY HUMID AIRMASS
WILL BE IN PLACES AHEAD OF THIS LOW WITH SHRA/TSRA EXPECTED ACROSS
THE ENTIRE FORECAST AREA THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT. PRECIPITABLE WATER
VALUES WILL INCREASE TO 200-250 PERCENT OF NORMAL...AND WITH THE
WARM CLOUD DEPTHS OVER 4KM...STRONG POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR TORRENTIAL
DOWNPOURS AND LOCALLY HEAVY RAINS. AT THIS TIME IT APPEARS THE
GREATEST THREAT FOR HEAVY RAIN WILL BE ALONG/NORTH OF A KAUM-KLSE-
TOMAH WI LINE. CONSENSUS OF FCST MODELS PRODUCE 2 TO AS MUCH AS 6
INCHES OF RAIN WITH THIS SYSTEM TONIGHT THRU THU EVENING. EXACTLY
WHERE THE HEAVIEST RAINS WILL FALL REMAINS IN QUESTION...DEPENDING
ON THE LOCATION OF A WARM FRONT AHEAD OF THE LOW...AND WHERE THE
SHRA/TSRA FIRST START. WITH THE FRONT NOT MOVING MUCH TODAY AND
SHRA/TSRA ALREADY SOUTH OF WHERE MOST FCST MODEL INDICATE...HAVE
EXPANDED FLOOD WATCH SOUTH TO INCLUDE ALL OF SOUTHEAST MN AND PARTS
OF WI NORTH OF KLSE-TOMAH. WITH CONVECTION HEADED INTO SOUTHEAST MN
ALREADY THIS EVENING...MOVED START TIME OF THE WATCH WEST OF THE MS
RIVER UP TO 00Z THIS EVENING...AND LEFT IT TO START EAST OF THE MS
RIVER AT 06Z TONIGHT. WATCH RUNS THRU 12Z FRI MORNING ALL AREAS.
THIS IS A POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS FLOODING SITUATION.
&&
.ARX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...FLOOD WATCH FROM 1 AM CDT THURSDAY THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING FOR
WIZ017-WIZ029-WIZ032-WIZ033-WIZ034-WIZ041-WIZ042.
MN...FLOOD WATCH FROM 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING
FOR MNZ079-MNZ086-MNZ087-MNZ088-MNZ094-MNZ095-MNZ096.
IA...NONE.
&&
SHORT/LONG TERM...RRS
HYDROLOGY.........RRS
AVIATION..........DASHAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI 324 PM CDT WED SEP 22 2010 IAZ008>011-018-019-029-030-WIZ043-044-053>055-061-231000- ADAMS-ALLAMAKEE-CHICKASAW-CLAYTON-CRAWFORD-FAYETTE-FLOYD-GRANT- HOWARD-JUNEAU-MITCHELL-RICHLAND-VERNON-WINNESHIEK- 324 PM CDT WED SEP 22 2010 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PARTS OF SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA...NORTHEAST IOWA...AND SOUTHWEST AND CENTRAL WISCONSIN. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT A WARM FRONT ACROSS IOWA WILL MOVE NORTHWARD AND WILL BE THE FOCUS FOR THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH TONIGHT. THERE WILL BE ENOUGH INSTABILITY AND FAVORABLE WIND PROFILES TO SUPPORT STRONG...TO POSSIBLY SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THIS EVENING. LARGE HAIL WOULD BE THE MAIN THREAT... WITH DAMAGING WINDS AND ISOLATED TORNADOES ALSO POSSIBLE. IN ADDITION...AN UNUSUALLY MOIST AIR MASS IN THE ATMOSPHERE WILL PROMOTE A HEAVY RAIN POTENTIAL. HIGH RAINFALL RATES WITH THE STRONGEST STORMS COULD RESULT IN STREET AND OTHER URBAN FLOODING. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE ALONG AND NORTH OF THE WARM FRONT THURSDAY. HEAVY RAIN WILL BE THE MAIN THREAT FROM THESE STORMS...WITH LARGE HAIL OR DAMAGING WINDS NOT ANTICIPATED AT THIS TIME. BY THURSDAY EVENING...A COLD FRONT TRACKING EAST OUT OF THE PLAINS SHOULD SPAWN A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS. THIS LINE WOULD HAVE A GREATER THREAT OF LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS. FURTHER RAINFALL WITH THESE STORMS COULD ADD TO ANY PREVIOUS FLOODING ISSUES THAT MAY OCCUR. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED THIS EVENING AND COULD ALSO BE NEEDED FOR THURSDAY EVENING. RAINFALL AND ANY FLOODING REPORTS OVER THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS WOULD BE APPRECIATED. .EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATION... NO CALL IS SCHEDULED MNZ079-086>088-094>096-WIZ017-029-032>034-041-042-231000- BUFFALO-CLARK-DODGE-FILLMORE-HOUSTON-JACKSON-LA CROSSE-MONROE-MOWER- OLMSTED-TAYLOR-TREMPEALEAU-WABASHA-WINONA- 324 PM CDT WED SEP 22 2010 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PARTS OF SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA... WESTERN AND NORTH CENTRAL WISCONSIN. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT A WARM FRONT ACROSS IOWA WILL MOVE NORTHWARD AND WILL BE THE FOCUS FOR THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH TONIGHT. THERE WILL BE ENOUGH INSTABILITY AND FAVORABLE WIND PROFILES TO SUPPORT STRONG...TO POSSIBLY SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THIS EVENING. LARGE HAIL WOULD BE THE MAIN THREAT... WITH DAMAGING WINDS AND ISOLATED TORNADOES ALSO POSSIBLE. IN ADDITION...AN UNUSUALLY MOIST AIR MASS IN THE ATMOSPHERE WILL BRING THE POTENTIAL FOR HEAVY RAIN. HIGH RAINFALL RATES WITH THE STRONGEST STORMS WILL RESULT IN PONDING OF WATER AND SIGNIFICANT RISES ON AREA RIVERS AND STREAMS. CURRENTLY...LOCATIONS ALONG AND NORTH OF AN AUSTIN MINNESOTA TO LA CROSSE TO TOMAH WISCONSIN LINE LOOK TO BE AT THE HIGHEST RISK FOR HEAVY RAINFALL. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY SHOWERS AND SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ARE LIKELY FOR THURSDAY AND THURSDAY NIGHT...WITH HEAVY RAIN BEING THE MAIN THREAT. TOTAL RAINFALL FROM WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY OF 2 TO 3 INCHES...WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS ARE POSSIBLE. THESE HIGH RAINFALL AMOUNTS... ALONG WITH HIGH RAINFALL RATES...MAY LEAD FURTHER PONDING OF WATER AS WELL AS SIGNIFICANT RISES ON AREA STREAMS AND RIVERS. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE NEEDED THIS EVENING AND COULD ALSO BE NEEDED FOR THURSDAY EVENING. RAINFALL AND ANY FLOODING REPORTS OVER THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS WOULD BE APPRECIATED. .EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATION... NO CALL IS SCHEDULED BROOKS
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI 334 PM CDT WED SEP 22 2010 MNZ079-086-087-094-222130- DODGE-MOWER-OLMSTED-WABASHA- 334 PM CDT WED SEP 22 2010 AT 330 PM...DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED STRONG THUNDERSTORMS...MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH INTO THE AREA. SMALL HAIL AND HEAVY RAIN MAY ACCOMPANY THESE STRONG THUNDERSTORMS. LOCATIONS THAT MAY BE AFFECTED INCLUDE... WEST CONCORD...DODGE CENTER...HAYFIELD...MANTORVILLE AND KASSON. HEAVY RAIN COULD LEAD TO MINOR FLOODING OR A SHORT PERIOD OF STANDING WATER. STAY CLEAR OF DRAINAGE AREAS AND AVOID AREAS OF HIGH WATER IF THEY DEVELOP. DAS
The La Crosse radar (KARX), 81 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:00 UTC.
28 flood, 20 heavy rain, 4 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Storm total rainfall from lock and dam #4 near Alma was 7.08 inches.
Storm total rainfall was 5.26 inches.
The storm total rainfall amounted to 7.50 inches.
The storm total rainfall amounted to 6.72 inches.
The storm total rainfall amounted to 7.01 inches.
Storm total rainfall was 5.40 inches. On September 23rd a total of 3.80 inches of rain fell setting a record for any daily amount in the month of September.
The storm total rainfall amounted to 5.95 inches.
Total rainfall from the storm was 6.65 inches.
The storm total rainfall amounted to 6.67 inches.
The storm total rainfall amounted to 5.55 inches.
The storm total rainfall amounted to 5.15 inches.
The storm total rainfall amounted to 4.73 inches.
The storm total rainfall amounted to 4.97 inches.
Storm total rainfall amounted to 4.88 inches.
The total rainfall amounted to 4.43 inches. Of the 3.90 inch total that fell north of Stoddard, 1.38 inches fell between the hours of 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. CST on the 22nd. Other amounts around the county included 3.59 inches near Westby and 3.49 inches in Ontario.
The storm total rainfall amounted to 4.38 inches. Elsewhere in the county, Volk Field recorded 3.26 inches, while 2.90 inches fell near Necedah.
Rainfall amounted to 5.88 inches. A total of 4.39 inches was measured 2 miles north of Owen as well.
The total rainfall amounted to 5.05 inches. Elsewhere in the county, 4.89 inches was measured 2 miles north of Holmen, 4.38 inches fell 5 miles southeast of La Crosse, 3.99 inches fell at the National Weather Service just east of La Crosse, and 3.77 inches fell in West Salem.
The storm total rainfall amounted to 6.18 inches. Elsewhere across the county rainfall totals 3.90 inches at Sparta and 3.77 inches at Kendall.
The storm total rainfall amounted to 3.40 inches. Also, the cooperative observer in Jump River measured a total rainfall of 3.27 inches.
Numerous roads across the county were closed due to flooding. Specific roads included State Highways 35 and 95 near Fountain City, State Highway 88, State Highway 37 north of Alma, Sand Road, Oak Valley Road, and Rose Valley Road. Also, all creeks and drainage areas were flooding in and around Nelson. Eight homes around the county had minor damage, while one business incurred major damage from flood waters. The rain began around 3:30 p.m. CST on the 22nd, and the majority of the rain fell by 7 a.m. CST on the 23rd. At this point, 5.50 inches had fallen at Nelson, while 5.14 inches was measured at Alma.
Flooding occurred to rivers, creeks, streams, and low-lying areas throughout the county as very heavy rains fell over saturated soils. This caused numerous county and township road closures across the county, as well as closures of main highways including U.S. Highway 53 between Ettrick and Blair, State Highway 93 between Arcadia and Independence, State Highway 121 between Independence and Whitehall, and State Highway 95 from in the city of Blair to the Jackson County line. The city park in Blair was completely underwater, while a few businesses had some flood damage. In Whitehall, a trailer park was impacted. A 60 yard stretch of railroad tracks was underwater and partially washed out near County Road J by Dodge. Throughouth the county, forty-two homes incurred minor damage and 2 homes saw major damage, while 13 businesses had minor damage and 5 had major damage. The majority of these damaged homes and businesses happened in Arcadia. Also, several schools were closed Thursday and Friday due to road closures in the districts. Although rain fell through much of the day on the 23rd, the majority had fallen by 10 a.m. that morning. Some rainfall totals around the county as of 10 a.m. CST on the 23rd include 5.00 inches at both Trempealeau and Blair and 4.89 inches near Whitehall.
Mudslides flowed onto State Highway 95 and County Road D.
Widespread flooding occurred in Arcadia as water from Turton Creek and Meyers Valley Creek over-topped their banks and flowed into town. Water from Turton Creek flowed down Main Street, while water from Meyers Valley Creek bypassed a small bridge and flowed into the town. There were 343 homes evacuated. More than 100 people needed help from emergency responders, who used heavy machinery and boats, to evacuate from their homes. Many vehicles were stranded, and some road damage occurred. Turton Creek washed away a 100-foot section of North Oak Street. Many homes and several businesses sustained damage, some of which incurred major damage. The rainfall amounted to 5.35 inches in Arcadia as of 4:15 a.m. CST on the 23rd, while it continued to rain through the day on the 23rd with a total of 6.92 inches.
Numerous roads were closed throughout the county due to heavy rains and flooding along rivers, streams, and creeks. Most bridges on township roads were over-topped with water. At one time, 56 roads were closed throughout the county. State Highway 95 was closed in several locations. Other specific road closures included Old Highway 95 and County Roads S, X, and VV. Lowland flooding occurred across much of the county, while many roads, trails, and campgrounds in the Black River State Forest were closed. Pigeon Creek was flooded and the Pigeon Falls Dam incurred some damage. Parks around Merrillan were all flooded, and the baseball field in Hixton was completely underwater. A person was rescued from a stranded vehicle on County Road VV, while assistance was given to a family evacuating in Irving Township. In Melrose, 8 structures and 4 homes were damaged due to flooding from the Black River. Throughout the county, 13 homes incurred major damage and 29 homes had minor damage. Although rain fell from the evening of the 22nd through much of the day on the 23rd, the majority of the rain had fallen as of 10 a.m. CST on the 23rd. At that point 5.30 inches had been measured in Merrillan.
County Road H washed out just west of the intersection with State Highway 73.
A few mudslides occurred in the Waumandee area.
Brush Creek was out of its banks and flooding nearby fields and lowlands.
Minor damage occurred to several county roads across the northern part of the county, including County Road G. The rain fell from the evening of the 22nd into the overnight hours on the 23rd. As of 10 a.m. CST on the morning of the 23rd, 5.52 inches had fallen at Cataract.
O'Neill Creek was flooding in downtown Neillsville. This flooding impacted a few homes and businesses as the water made it to the base of four homes and was just inches from flooding a shopping center.
Locally heavy rains pushed the Black River at Black River Falls out of its banks from September 23rd to the 27th. The river exceeded the flood stage by over fourteen feet, cresting at 61.46 feet. This crest established a new flood of record. Ironically the dam at Black River Falls was being reconstructed during this event and was not in place during the peak. An early damage estimate of $600,000 was lowered to $110,000 at the dam by the utility and local contractor. From the evening of the 23rd to the afternoon of the 24th, 80 homes in the city of Black River Falls were evacuated.
Part of a driveway was washed out. At this location, the rainfall total was 4.58 inches from the evening of the 22nd through the evening of the 23rd.
Several roads were closed in the northern part of the county due to water over the roads. County Road C was closed between County Roads DE and T, while 5 inches of water sat on the road at the intersection of County Roads C and DE. Other roads over-topped with water included Herman Coulee Road, portions of State Highway 162 and County Road A. There was also minor damage to 2 homes and 1 business from flood waters. In the two hours between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. CST on the 22nd, the rainfall amounted to 1.15 inches, with widespread storm total amounts through the evening of the 23rd of 3.30 to 4.00 inches.
A mudslide occurred near the intersection of County Road B and Echo Road.
Locally heavy rains pushed the Trempealeau River at Dodge out of its banks from September 23rd through the 30th. The river exceeded the flood stage by almost four feet, cresting at 12.75 feet. This crest established a new flood of record.
A cranberry dam failed and washed out a portion of County Road O north of Warrens.
Locally heavy rains across west central Wisconsin pushed the Kickapoo River at Ontario briefly out of its banks on September 23rd. The river exceeded the flood stage by just over one foot, cresting at 19.3 feet.
Flooding caused numerous county and township roads as well as some state roads to be closed across the southern half of the county, mainly south of Greenwood. Many low-lying township roads were closed, while some culverts were damaged and needed replacing. The hardest hit areas included the townships of Hewitt, Lynn, Sherwood, and Washburn. Water surged out of Mead Lake into the South Fork Eau Claire River, which then overflowed County Road M. The River Road just southwest of Greenwood was closed as the Black River flowed over the road. A pickup tried to cross this portion of the road and was swept into the ditch. In Abbotsford, Lindon Street and Pickard Road were closed as the sewer plant briefly overflowed. Many schools were closed on Thursday and Friday including Loyal, Greenwood, Granton and Neillsville. A State of Emergency was declared in many towns and villages across the county. There were 45 homes across the county with minor damage.
A mudslide occurred along County Road P near Petes Road.
A washout occurred near the intersection of State Highway 54 and County Road K.
Numerous roads were washed out between Blair, Whitehall, and Arcadia. A railway line was also underwater in several locations.
Flood waters caused several road closures around the county. Specific roads impacted were County Road C north of Goodrich as well as Oriole Drive just east of Stetsonville. In Medford, the Black River came within a few feet of the Curling Club, while the Rib River in Goodrich was within a few inches of the bottom of the bridge on State Highway 64. Due to road closures, the Medford school was closed on the 24th. The rain began the evening of the 22nd and continued until the early morning hours of the 24th, with the majority falling by mid afternoon on the 23rd. Rainfall totals across the county amounted to 4.58 inches at Gad, 3.40 inches at Medford, and 3.27 inches at Jump River.
Brush Creek flooded and caused a culvert along Forest Road 1417 to wash out and the road to collapse.
The West Arbutus Campground was evacuated as culverts were failing.
The shoulder of County Road TT was washed out.
Minor washouts occurred on County Roads U and Z.
Locally heavy rains pushed the Black River near Neillsville out of its banks on September 23rd and 24th. The river exceeded the flood stage by almost a foot, cresting at 18.78 feet.
A few roads were closed in Chaseburg, including State Highway 162 as flooding occurred along Coon Creek.
County Road Z was underwater between County Road H and State Highway 82. Gem Court was underwater west of State Highway 13 and the shoreline along Castle Rock Lake was flooded near the dam. There were 8 homes and 1 business that incurred minor damage due to the flooding.
Locally heavy rains pushed the Black River near Galesville out of its banks from September 24th through the 29th. The river exceeded the flood stage by almost five feet, cresting at 16.77 feet. This crest established a new flood of record.
The Yellow, Lemonweir and Wisconsin Rivers along with their tributaries flooded, which caused road closures, evacuations, and damage to some roads, homes and businesses. People were evacuated from a campground east of Mauston along the Lemonweir River, while a dozen campers, campsites and sheds were ruined. In Necedah, water rose onto the property of several businesses, while homes on the east side of town were evacuated. Five homes and 2 businesses incurred major damage, while 14 homes and 1 business reported minor damage. Some specific road closures included County Roads G and F, and 11th Street, as well as County Roads HH and N near Lyndon Station.
Locally heavy rains across west central Wisconsin pushed the Kickapoo River in Viola briefly out of its banks on September 24th and 25th. The river exceeded the flood stage by less than a half foot, cresting at 14.33 feet.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Wisconsin in 2010Every state in 2010This day in weather historyWarnings in Wisconsin, September 2010
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 262970, 262971, 259604, 259608, 259620, 262972, 262973, 262974, 262991, 262992, 262993, 262994, 262975, 262976, 259592, 259602, 259626, 259594, 259598, 259627, 259634, 259628, 259630, 262995, 259637, 262981, 259632, 259779, 259860, 259645, 260314, 262986, 259781, 259859, 260319, 262988, 260320, 259649, 259638, 262984, and more.