ALERT: Flooding washes out roads, bridges

The rain kept coming Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning.

Southeastern St. Croix County was among the wettest when the storms finally cleared.

According to St. Croix County Sheriff Dennis Hillstead, the Baldwin area had somewhere between 5 and 6 inches of rain. Other municipalities hit hard were Woodville, Wilson, Town of Hammond, Town of Baldwin, Town of Springfield, Town of Rush River, Town of Eau Galle and Town of Cady.

“I live by Woodville and my rain gauge said five inches,” Hillstead said. “I’d emptied it out, so I know that was accurate.”

Several bridges were washed out along Highway 63, including spans near County Road N, 10th Avenue and Cedar Street in Baldwin.

“Seven or eight bridges were washed out,” Hillstead reported Wednesday morning. “And all the damage was on the southern side of the county.”

Highway 63 remains closed from the St. Croix County line through Baldwin because of the flood damage.

Various town roads have been closed due to washouts and bridge closures.

Hillstead said motorists should use caution when driving on roads in these affected areas.

Despite the overnight storms, no one was hurt during actual weather event.

Hillstead said there have been some minor injuries this morning (Wednesday) as people headed to work.

Before county officials could find all of the washed out roads and bridges, in an effort to close roadways, several cars were involved in accidents, Hillstead said.

Rising water caused numerous other problems in Baldwin. An apartment building was evacuated during the night due to water issues. The Comforts of Home assisted living facility in Baldwin had to evacuate 14 residents as the result of rising water.

As of Wednesday morning, Comforts of Home officials were still trying to get their residents placed in temporary housing.

Wednesday morning, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department was evacuating homes in Martell and El Paso along the Rush River because waters were still rising.

St. Croix County Emergency Management has set up a hotline for area residents to report damage to their homes and businesses. Call 888-305-3555 to provide any reports.

The recorded message will prompt callers to leave their name, address, phone number and information about the damage that has occurred -- such as sewer backups, flooded homes and washed out driveways.

Law enforcement officials reported flooding across much of western Wisconsin during the night. St. Croix, Pierce, Chippewa and Dunn counties were all hit hard.

Dunn county law enforcement reported many roads washed out with sink holes and numerous mudslides.

Four miles north of Knapp County Road Q was washed out. There was an unofficial report of 6 inches of rain in Knapp. Glenwood City reported an unofficial 6.5 inches of rain during a 24-hour period.

Highway 170 near Colfax was also under water.

The Rush River in Pierce County was reportedly 3 feet over a bridge in Martell. Officials say the danger is far from over, even though little additional rain is expected today. Streams and river will continue to rise from the heavy rainfall overnight.

Other rain totals in the area were impressive, but did not cause as much concern. River Falls had 3.87 inches overnight. New Richmond totalled 1.58 inches.

Rain in the Somerset area caused several accidents along County Road I, as vehicles hydroplaned while navigating some curves. At least one injury accident was reported.

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