Flood Safety Awareness Week in Wisconsin

Flood Safety Awareness Week in Wisconsin is this week, February 25 - March 2, 2024.

Flooding is one of the most frequently occurring natural disasters in Wisconsin and is one of the top causes of weather related fatalities across the U.S.

Make a plan now to keep your family safe and never enter flooded areas by foot or by car.

Prepare
Staying Safe
Flood Statistics
Flood Forecast Information

Prepare

Get a NOAA Weather Radio to be alerted to flash flood warnings and river flood warnings
Monitor weather forecasts for heavy rain potential
Have a communications plan for your family and a place to meet in higher ground.
Know a safe way to exit your home and neighborhood and avoid any roads susceptible to flooding

Prepare your home:
- Consider flood insurance, especially if you are in a flood prone area - (may require 30 day notice)
- Make sure your sump pump is working and consider a backup.
- Have a professional install check-values to prevent floodwaters from backing up into the drains of your home
- Keep important documents in a waterproof, elevated container, not in the basement.
- Remove snow from roof, downspout area, and away from base of home
- Finish any outdoor projects that may be affected by heavy rain or flood waters
More preparedness information on the NWS Flood Safety Site

Staying Safe

Turn Around, Don't Drown - Never drive through flooded roads

https://youtu.be/uptd0ny-8v0

You do not know how deep the water is or if the road has been washed out
You may damage your vehicle
You put yourself and first responders at risk

Flood Statistics

The majority (81%) of Wisconsin flood related flood fatalities occur when people go to flooded areas.

Nationally, over 50% of flood fatalities vehicle related.

Data from 2010-2023

Historical floods in Wisconsin

Flood Forecast Information

The NWS is upgrading the river forecast website March 27, 2024. Familiarize yourself with the new page. This will replace the following pages: Current River Levels and Short Term Forecast River Levels

Additional river observations available from the USGS here

Wisconsin probabilistic precipitation forecasts are here.

Extended precipitation forecasts can be found here.

Media use of NWS Web News Stories is encouraged!
Please acknowledge the NWS as the source of any news information accessed from this site.