By Correne Martin and Ted Pennekamp
Heavy rainfall over southwest Wisconsin and northeast Iowa caused significant flash flooding Tuesday evening, Aug. 23, into Wednesday morning, Aug. 24.
The greatest amount of rain fell in the Decorah, Iowa, area, where between 6.71 to 8.46 inches were reported to the National Weather Service at La Crosse. In northeast Iowa, some communities were even evacuated, shelters were set up and the Salvation Army was working to assist those displaced by the flooding.
“Widespread and life-threatening flooding is occurring, and in some places near-historical river and creek flooding, after overnight rains in northeast Iowa,” said the NWS in a statement on its website. “Mudslides and water over roads are also reported in Richland and Crawford Counties in Wisconsin.
“Water rescues have been occurring when people have driven into flooded water.”