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Mudslides Close Several Wisconsin Highways; More Rain Expected

Wisconsin Emergency Management

At least three highways have been closed in southwestern Wisconsin because of mudslides and flooding. Stretches will remain closed until crews can remove the mud and debris.

-- Highway 61 (between Hwy 60 and the bridge to Boscobel). Parts are covered with mud 25 feet high

-- Highway 35 (from Lynxville to Prairie du Chien)

-- Highway 171 (from Hwys 27 to 131)

Flash flood watches ands warnings are in effect Wednesday across much of southern and western Wisconsin.

Here is the 3:15pm update from State Emergency Operations Center re/certain locales:

- Flash flood watches and flood warnings remain in effect for much of southern Wisconsin tonight as another storm system will bring 1-4 inches of rain.

Since Friday, several communities have received 6-13 inches, causing scattered flooding. According to the National Weather Service, Boscobel - 13 inches, Prairie du Chien- 9.7 inches, Soldiers Grove- 8.4 inches and Gays Mills- 6 inches.

The heavy rain has caused several rivers to rise:  Kickapoo, Pecatonica, Sugar, Grant and Yellow Rivers.

Grant County - 640 homes with minor flood damage, 20 with major damage of more than $5 million. WI Dept. of Health Services (DHS) is assisting with damage assessments and has sent 100 well water bacteria test kits to the Grant County Public Health Dept.

Crawford County – 26 homes affected by flooding, 3 with major damage and 1 destroyed. DHS is working with public health agencies to assess needs. WIS 35 closed in both directions from Lynxville to Prairie du Chien due to mud slides and debris. US 61 closed in both directions between Wis 60 East and Boscobel because of mudslide. WIS 171 closed in both directions from WIS 27 to WIS 131 due to flooding. WI DOT is sending a soil engineer to assist Crawford County.

Richland County - WIS 60 closed in both directions between Muscoda and Gotham because of flooding.

Vernon County – Boulder fell onto WIS 56 near Genoa, but vehicles are able to move around it.

Washburn County – Town of Frog Creek major road damage from excessive rain.

Ashland County – Roads damaged during earlier flooding, then again last week by heavy rain.