City Staff Monitoring Flood Watch

City of Madison staff are monitoring the incoming active storms that are expected to move into the Greater Madison area this afternoon (July 2, 2024) and overnight. Based on current forecasts, the City does not anticipate a major widespread flooding event at this time. Flash flooding in isolated locations is a possibility, especially during more intense rainfall.

Engineering crews have been clearing debris from inlets in priority locations to help ensure City storm sewers are functioning as well as possible leading up to the storms. Lake levels can also impact the efficiency of the storm sewer system. With higher lake levels, it’s possible streets along the isthmus may experience some short duration flooding, even if rainfall is not extreme. With these conditions, the particular areas of concern are portions of E. Washington Ave. and E. Mifflin St. from about N. Blount St. to N. Ingersoll St. (especially around the intersection of Mifflin and Livingston), and portions of E. Johnson St. from about First St. to Fourth St. (especially around the intersection of Johnson and Third).

Please avoid any low-lying areas that are historically known to flash flood during heavy rain events. If you come across a road with standing water, it’s best to turn around and avoid the flooded areas. If you live or are visiting an area prone to flash flooding, we recommend that you park vehicles on higher ground.

If anyone experiences flooding or to report missing/ajar manhole covers please call 608-266-4430. This will allow the City to triage calls and prioritize response. Additionally, reporting flooding through the City’s Report Flooding Portal is helpful information to provide to document causes and plan for future projects/solutions, but the portal won’t be monitored during the storms.

Flood Status: Flood Watch Dane County is under a flood watch, which is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible. There is a potential for flash flooding, which means flash flooding can occur anywhere throughout the City when the stormwater infrastructure cannot drain the runoff as quickly as it’s arriving.

Sandbag Locations

The City of Madison will not be filling sandbags in advance of this storm. However, if residents want to fill sandbags out of precaution, the City’s sand sites are open and available as they are regularly during the season.

Free sand and ready-to-fill bags are available to City residents, not contractors, at the following locations from (mid-April to late October):

· Engineering Service Building: 1600 Emil Street

· Olbrich Park Secondary Boat Launch Parking Lot: 3402 Atwood Avenue

· Olin Park Parking Lot: 1156 Olin-Turville Court

· Spring Harbor Park Parking Lot: 5417 Lake Mendota Drive

· Tenney Park Beach Parking Lot: 1254 Sherman Avenue

· Thut Park: 2630 Nana Way

· Warner Park Beach Parking Lot: 1101 Woodward Drive

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