Flood Watch Returns With up to 3.5 Inches of Rain Expected

Apparently the memo hasn't gotten to Mother Nature to turn off the tap, as Wisconsin emerged from its drought only to face flooding last week and, possibly, again this week.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch that goes into effect noon Wednesday, and will continue until Friday at 7 a.m., according to Patch's media partners at WISN 12 Weather.

A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible flood warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.

Another area of moderate to heavy rain is moving into the southern half of Wisconsin, adding as much as 2.5 to 3.5 inches of rain to already swollen streams and rivers. Some higher totals are possible.

Specifically, officials are watching the Rock, Fox and Milwaukee Rivers as localized flooding caused concerns last week. The additional rain may be coming as the ground is thawed, but is still saturated.

Wauwatosa experienced no flooding issues with the Menomonee River or its tributaries last week, City Engineer Bill Wehrley said. While the Menomonee went out of its banks upstream of North Avenue, that's expected and planned for, he said. No roadways were flooded.

The primary function of Milwaukee County parkways is, in fact, as floodways, Wehrley said, and storage of stormwater in naturalized floodplains benefits less-protected areas downstream.

"That's just streams doing what nature intended them to do," he said.

Wehrley also said there were only half a dozen reported basement backups last week, only one of those involved sanitary problems and none were caused by failures or inadequacy in municipal sewers, but rather were issues with leaks or blockages on homeowners' property.

If you should experience a basement backup or witness street flooding, call the Wauwatosa Public Works Department at (414) 471-8422.