Sheriff: Flood warning issued for Portage County

Metro Wire Staff

The National Weather Service in Green Bay has issued a flood warning for Portage Co. effective on April 14 and until further notice.

Sheriff Mike Lukas said that lowland flooding is expected in wooded areas along the Wisconsin River south of Stevens Point.

Area rivers will continue to run high into next week, Lukas said in a press release on Thursday. A number of rivers are already above their banks, and a few are in a minor flood stage, he said.

The Wisconsin River flood stage below Stevens Point is 1,053 feet, the NWS said. Shortly before 11 a.m. on Thursday, the flow reached that benchmark.

Areas adjacent to the affected area can expect:

• Widespread flooding in wooded land adjacent to the river
• Floodwaters may approach homes in low-lying areas on Park Drive west of Plover
• The Wisconsin River may flood below the Whiting Dam

Precautions in the affected areas include:

• “Turn Around, Don’t Down” when encountering roadways covered in water. Most flood-related deaths occur in vehicles
• Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks
• Boating on the Wisconsin River in these conditions is extremely dangerous and is strongly discouraged

Residents in need of assistance during any flooding should contact the Portage County Communications Center at 715-346-1400 or dial 911 in case of emergency.