Flood waters could level well over 100 homes as the 120-year-old sand levee along the Wisconsin River fails; it is expected to completely collapse, putting an unknown number of houses in danger.
The levee is located in Colombia County near Portage and began its collapse late Sunday night, according to the National Weather Service. The agency has urged residence in the path of the levee and incoming floodwaters to move to higher ground. It is expected that roadways will close as a result of the flooding, including parts of the Interstate 39.
Residence in Portage were evacuated Sunday and others near the Blackhawk Park urged to leave their homes as the path of the floodwaters is expected to wash out the main road leading to the residencies. Emergency services stated that once the road is gone “emergency vehicles including police, fire and EMS will not be able to reach residents," and anyone left in their homes at that point won’t be able to come out.
The levee, which is a relic from the 1890’s, has been under observation since heavy rainfall tipped the Wisconsin River above flood levels, but the mostly-sand constructed levee has failed irreparably in some places. Floodwaters are expected to recede come Wednesday, but flooding further down the river system as water is dumped in the Mississippi, is still on the cards.
The levee system will have to be completely rebuilt once floodwaters subside, this time out of more modern concrete and steel.
