Flood Watch in Effect Through Friday for Tosa, Region

The Menomonee River is raging through Wauwatosa, but as of mid-afternoon Tuesday it wasn't too close to leaving its banks.

Yet. More rain is on the way for the next few days, and according to the weather experts, rivers in the region could rise to flood stage.

Mike Kreiter, supervisor of operations for the Wauwatosa Department of Public Works, said Tuesday afternoon that he had no reports of any localized flooding of city streets.

"We've had the street sweepers out and cleaned all city streets," Kreiter said, "so I think getting all the debris off has kept the grates open."

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for portions of Southeast Wisconsin, including Dodge, Jefferson, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington and Waukesha counties. According to Patch's media partners at WISN 12, the watch will be in effect from noon Tuesday to Friday morning. 

A series of low pressure systems are setting up along the jet stream, placing them directly over the area. Rainfall totals of 2 to 3 inches are forecast, and as the soil is already saturated or in some areas still frozen, runoff of moderate to heavy rainfall will cause many rivers to reach their banks with some reaching moderate flood stage.

In addition, roadways in low-lying areas typically susceptible to flooding should be approached with caution.