THIS PHOTO I TOOK OVER BY GUNDERSON HOSPITAL 4/16/01

Thema and I were in LaCrosse on business and we drove around a bit to see the rising flood waters. We were also there in 1965 and it is hard to say whether this is as much flooding as then since those days they have put in dikes, raised the causeway etc. However, the water had pretty well covered the park benches in Riverside Park and there were places like the one shown above where there will be water damage. The difference between this flood in LaCrosse and the one Tomah and surrounding area experienced in 1988 is that this has been coming on for a week now giving those in low lying areas time to move their belongings to higher levels or out of harm's way while the Tomah Flood came without warning causing considerable damage to peoples property over a one nite period.

There were a fair amount of sightseers, like us, but the windy and snowy weather no doubt keep a lot of people, that might have otherwise been out seeing history being made, let someone else do it and they could read about it or see it on TV. I must admit it was cold up there. The water gauge in Riverside part registered just 16 feet when we were there.
Comments by Bill Weber-WEB Host

For Pictures By LaCrosse Tribune Photographers Go To:
PICTURES

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MISSISSIPPI AT LACROSSE EXPECTED TO CREST AT 16.5 FEET
LEVELS NOT REACHED SINCE 1965 FLOOD

As Reported by:
By JOEL HANNAHS/Of the LaCrosse Tribune staff

Article Below --For Full Details Go To:
FLOOD

If predictions hold, the watery invasion could be just the beginning of significant flooding over the next week. Residents in low areas such as Shore Acres in La Crescent, parts of French Island and near the river south of Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center have begun moving belongings out or to higher levels. Water levels were predicted to crest sometime Thursday, April 19, at 16.5 feet, according to the National Weather Service in La Crosse. The river was at 12.46 feet at 5:40 p.m. Thursday and is forecast to rise more than 3 feet through Tuesday. City and public service agencies are getting ready.

The La Crosse Common Council declared a state of emergency Thursday night and authorized the use of surplus funds to pay for costs associated with the current flooding situation. Pat Caffrey, director of public works, said even though the city is reinforcing dikes on the North Side in hopes of handling a flood stage of 17.3 feet, evacuation of homes and businesses would be recommended in some areas if the water rises to more than 15 feet. "It's quite unlikely that the dikes will fail, but we do not want to create a sense of false security for people protected by these dikes," Caffrey told council members. "We want people to be aware that there is a potential of water coming in quickly. The people who are protected by these dikes need to be aware that they are far short of federal government standards. Caffrey said it would cost about $1 million to bring the dikes up to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' standards.

Caffrey said the city would only recommend evacuation if the water rises above 15 feet. He said in order for a forced evacuation to occur, the governor would have to declare martial law. Scrambling to stay ahead of any flood threats, county officials announced Thursday morning that Hwy. GI on Goose Island was closed because of high water. The road - still passable - was reopened later in the day and frequented by drivers cruising the park to see the flood up close. Side roads already are blocked, and water was rising toward the isolated roadway, which officials said would likely be closed when waters approach the 15-foot mark.

Others went to see the rising water at Copeland and Riverside parks both still dry but with water lapping ever closer to the edges and pointed across to Pettibone Park where the trees already are surrounded by water.

La Crosse County Sheriff Michael Weissenberger is asking boaters to stay off the river. Not only could boaters place themselves - or rescuers - in danger from the swifter water, but wakes from boats increase the damage to shoreline property. The no-wake rule is in effect.

The American Red Cross is asking for volunteers to help canvass possible evacuation areas on the North Side and in the town of Campbell with flood instructions. Volunteers are meeting at 9 a.m. today at La Crosse City Hall.

The town of Campbell needs volunteers to help fill sandbags along the temporary Bainbridge Street dike. They meet today at 8 a.m. at the Campbell Town Hall. Sandbags are being filled throughout the area. Among others, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse football squad volunteered to help.

Shelters are being planned on both the North and South sides, but the locations will not be released unless they are needed, said Kevin Hurley, Red Cross communications director.

The slower rise in the river since early predictions has given the city time to continue bolstering dikes. Caffrey said that he is confident in the dikes beyond 15 feet because they held in 1997 at that level. They are strengthening them to hold at two feet higher than the 17.3-foot levels known as the "100-year flood" mark.

Rose Street and the Interstate 90 exit onto Hwy. 53 south could be closed sometime Saturday or Sunday, Caffrey said. Temporary dikes could be built along the roadway. The signs already are in place so city crews can reroute traffic quickly.

An emergency dike is being thrown up along Bainbridge Street in the town of Campbell to protect the area from waters as high as 16 feet. --Officials continue to plead with the public to use sandbags to block off basement drains and prevent sewer backup. The town of Campbell is especially concerned about this problem. Call your municipality for instructions on where to obtain sandbags, or call the flood instruction number at (608) 791-9088 after business hours today.

The La Crosse Humane Society is urging anyone who evacuates to also evacuate any pets, because there is no way to predict how long residents will be displaced or how the water could endanger the animals. Animals cannot be brought to American Red Cross shelters, but the Humane Society will be able to handle pets on a temporary basis.

Railroad officials are monitoring La Crosse River levels. The railroad will likely be closed as water rises to allow the city to fill a dike gap on River Valley Drive, although the trains can run with the tracks under water.

Family and friends of senior citizens or disabled people living in a possible evacuation area are asked to think about how they can help them be prepared. They can call La Crosse County Emergency Management at (608) 789-4811.

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