Flooding

Press Release: Low Flooding Threat Tonight, Residents Should Prepare For Next Weather System

While the heaviest expected rain has passed, monitoring lake levels and the potential for flash flooding will remain a priority for City crews. Lake Monona is nearing the 100-year flood stage, and is expected to be at the 100-year flood stage within a day or two. Urban flash flooding is not a concern for tonight, the forecast will be monitored for Friday and Saturday. Even moderate rains in the east isthmus could cause flash flooding.

In the meantime, building owners along low-lying areas in the east isthmus such as East Washington Avenue and Livingston Street should prepare now to protect their facilities from flash flooding. Sand and empty sandbags are available at the following locations:

• Engineering Service Building - 1600 Emil Street
• Olbrich Park Secondary Boat Launch Parking Lot - 3402 Atwood Avenue
• Olin Park Parking Lot - 1156 Olin-Turville Court
• Spring Harbor Park Parking Lot - 5417 Lake Mendota Drive
• Tenney Park Beach Parking Lot - 1254 Sherman Avenue
• Thut Park - 2630 Nana Way
• Warner Park Beach Parking Lot - 1101 Woodward Drive

Residents should bring their own shovel to load sand bags. How to fill and place sandbags properly .

Current Conditions

Road and path closures in place:

• Closed: Lexington Avenue, west of Stoughton Road. There is ponding water on the roadway. Lexington Avenue is expected to be closed for days, exact duration not certain at this time.
• Back Open: Yahara River Path under Johnson Street is back open after the river overtopped the banks. Crews sandbagged the river bank and reinstated the pump.
• Closed: North side of the Wingra Creek off the frontage road to Olin Turville Park. Main Wingra Path remains open.

Lake Levels

Lake Mendota

• Current elevation: 851.45 feet
• Up 0.45 feet from Oct. 1, 2019
• 1.35 feet below the 100-year flood (which is 852.80 feet)
• 1.29 feet below historic high (Historic High is 852.74, June 6, 2000)

Lake Monona

• Current elevation: 847.5 feet
• Up 0.52 feet from Oct. 1, 2019
• 0.2 feet below 100-year flood (which is 847.7 feet)
• 1.03 feet below the historic high (which is 848.53 feet, Sept. 6, 2018)

Last 24 hours

Over the last 24 hours, City crews set up barriers, road closures, generators for intersection lights, cleared inlets and storm drains of debris and helped remove stranded vehicles.
The Madison area got 3.5 inches of rain, and multiple intersections and roads were washed over with standing water. At about 9:15 p.m., Oct. 1, at north First Street/East Johnson Street/Packers Avenue, there were 20 vehicles stalled in roughly thigh-deep water. Madison Police worked with Traffic Engineering to respond with barricades and traffic control. The water subsided around 2 a.m., Oct. 2, which allowed tow trucks to haul the disabled vehicles away.

Stay connected, informed

Residents and visitors should remain cautious when driving and should report significant flooding to City Engineering Operations 608-266-4430 and on the City’s Report Flooding Form.

Residents should plan ahead if possible:

• Don’t drive through standing water.
• When intense rain is predicted, avoid parking in low lying areas of the isthmus and the near east side.
• Avoid parking in other areas known to have flooded in the past.
• Sign up for flooding text alerts for closures.
• Sign up for weekly flooding updates.
• Know where the nearest sandbag fill locations are.