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| Graph showing the forecasted rise of the Root River over the next two days. The river level is expected to peak at noon on Saturday, just shy of a major flood stage |
Update, Saturday, July 24: The rain is expected to end by mid-morning, and the Weather Service says our flash flood watch will then expire. There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms this afternoon and early evening, but even then "the flash flood threat is low."
Update: The river's forecasted peak level was dropped to 7.65 inches, slightly further away from a Major stage flood.
Original post: The National Weather Service in Milwaukee/Sullivan issued a flood warning this morning for the Root River in Racine.
The river was at 4.5 feet at 4:15 a.m. Friday and rising, according to NWS reports. The river is forecast to reach its flood stage of 7 feet sometime after midnight tonight. It's expected rise near 7.9 feet by Sunday morning, and then fall below the flooding stage on Monday morning. Moderate flooding is forecasted.
Here's the best site available to gauge the Root River's level.Readings are taken at the Root River dam near Northwestern Avenue and Rapids Drive.
Here's the possible impact of flooding at different water levels:
| 8.1 | This level is about a 4 percent chance flood meaning there is a 4 percent chance in any given year of the river reaching this level. |
| 8 | There is basement flooding to around 250 homes in Racine. |
| 7.5 | This level is about a 10 percent chance flood meaning there is a 10 percent chance in any given year of the river reaching this level. |
| 7 | There is flooding in Lincoln Park and Horlick Park in Racine. |
| 6.8 | This level is about a 20 percent chance flood meaning there is a 20 percent chance in any given year of the river reaching this level. |
| 6 | There is minor lowland flooding. |
| 5.9 | This level is about a 2 year flood. |
Updates from the state:
- The Sheriff's Department is reporting water pooling on Interstate 94's northbound lanes at Highway G.
- Scattered storms are expected to continue today with strong storms this evening with possible heavy rain this evening across southern Wisconsin. The State Emergency Operations Center remains open to monitor the flooding situation. There has been no request for state assistance.
