La Crosse, WI (KROC AM News) -Thunderstorms dumped several inches of rain over parts of northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning.

This led to flooding in many communities that was still being reported Wednesday morning, even though the rain had ended

According to the latest information from the National Weather Service office in La Crosse, “ Widespread and life-threatening flooding is occurring, and in some places near-historical river and creek flooding.”

The Weather Service says water continues to rise in northeast Iowa and law enforcement reports numerous water rescues involving motorists who drove into flooded areas. This flooding was expected to worsen or continue through Wednesday.

The hardest hit area was Winneshiek County where rainfall totals of 6 - 8 ½ inches have been reported. A site six miles southeast of Decorah reported just under 8 ½ inches as of 7 this morning. Elsewhere, the Cresco area received 6 inches and more than 5 ½ inches was reported near the town of Dorchester.  

The highest totals reported in southwest Wisconsin were in Crawford County where rainfall exceeded 5 ½ inches in some areas. Mudslides and flooded roads were reported in Richland and Crawford counties in Wisconsin.  

Most of southeast Minnesota received 1 -  2 inches, although the Fillmore County town of Mabel reported 3.2 inches. Totals in the Rochester area were generally around half an inch. The Rochester Airport reported nearly nine-tenths of an inch.

Dry weather is expected through Friday and then there will be a chance of more rain through the weekend.

 

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