Racine County Executive Jonathan Delagrave has declared a state of emergency for Racine County after several thunderstorms moved through the area Wednesday morning dumping several inches of rain.
The Racine Police Department has also issued a warning to residents living near the Root River of possible flooding.
More rain is expected Wednesday afternoon in Racine County, which is cause for concern with the Root and Fox rivers for potential flooding. A dozen roads in Racine County have also been closed due to flooding.
At 9 a.m. Wednesday the Root River was at 4 feet with the flood stage at 7 feet.
A flood warning has been issued until 4 p.m. Wednesday for the Fox River, which was at 12.8 feet at 9 a.m. The flood stage for the Fox River in Burlington is at 11 feet and is expected to crest sometime on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.
“If those rivers do crest, we need to be proactive. The Sheriff has put some plans in place to hopefully prevent that,” Delagrave said.
The county hasn’t received any calls for service for anyone being stranded, but Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling said he has already brought in dive team members to prepare for the possibility.
“In the event that we do have to do a water evacuation or someone gets stranded in deep water, we’ll have these resources immediately on hand here… at our patrol station so that we can dispatch out in the county at a moments notice,” Schmaling said.
Delagrave said the county is also preparing to put up sandbags near the rivers if needed.
A number of roads have been closed by the Racine County Sheriff’s Department, including:
- State Highway 20/Washington Ave is closed east bound at State Highway 75/ N. Beaumont Ave
- Vandenboom Road is closed from State Highway 11/Durand Ave to the Racine County Line
- Highway J/ English Settlement Ave is closed between Highway 11 and Mt. Tom Road/312 th Ave
- Highway 11/Durand Ave is closed between 59 th Dr. and 67 th Dr. (east of Union Grove)
- Highway 11 west of Highway 75 by the Kansasville Fire Department
- Highway B from Highway 11 to the Kenosha County line
- Interstate 94 southbound at the KR off ramp
- West Frontage Road from Highwa 11 to KR
- East Frontage Road from Braun Road to Highway KR
- Highway 11 at West Frontage Road to 59th Drive
- Willow Road from 16th Street to Highway 11
- 90th Street from Braun Road to KR.
The Racine Police Department also issued a “code red” robo safety call Wednesday morning for residents living near the flood plain.
The call explained that the resident lives in an area that has a high probability of flooding this afternoon.
Click here to see the map: City of Racine Flooding Hazard Map
Here’s the message that went out:
“Good morning, this is Lt Toeller with the City of Racine Police Department with an important public safety message. This call is going out to all residents in your neighborhood due to the high probability of flooding. Our records show that your residence is located within an established flood plain, therefore this message is being shared in advance of potential flooding (which could occur later today).
Our next public update is planned for 3pm this afternoon; however, additional information may be provided in advance of 3pm subject to changing weather conditions.
Please watch for additional updates via our outbound messaging system, local media outlets, as well as the Racine Police Department’s Facebook page.”