NU Online News Service, Sept. 27, 3:55 p.m. EDT
Residents in Minnesota, South Dakota and Wisconsin have dealt with a weekend of flooding as there was much concern earlier today that a levee could break along the Wisconsin River.
Reports said 300 people were trapped in Blackhawk Park, Wis., when flood waters washed out access roads. In other areas, residents stayed with their homes waiting to see if the levees would hold or bring flood waters to their neighborhoods.
The 14-mile levee system dates back to the 1890s, and some reports said the major concern was with sand that was washed away by the flood waters.
Wisconsin Emergency Management issued a bulletin late today saying that concern still exists that the levee might not hold. The department said there are numerous points where water is bubbling through the levee. Presationary measures have been taken, but water continues to flow through the dike system. The levee is "saturated and in poor shape," the statement said.
The Wisconsin River reached an all time high of 20.6 feet from heavy rains, Wisconsin Emergency Management said, but it is expected to crest today.
The last report said rivers were beginning to recede and residents were returning home in some areas.
About 20 people remained in shelters yesterday, and a spokeswoman from Wisconsin Emergency Management said only small numbers were evacuated during the floods.
According to Federal Emergency Management Administration figures of flood insurance policies in force in the National Flood Insurance Program, Wisconsin has more than 16,000 policies in force.
In the 10 counties affected by flooding, there are a total of 732 policies in force.
Wisconsin Emergency Management said counties along the Mississippi River, the Eau Claire area and Columbia County are under a flood warning.
This story was updated with information on the status of the levee and additional flood warnings at 4:36 p.m. EDT
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