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The stationary front and associated energy then extended eastward through Illinois, Indiana and Ohio on [[August 19]] and [[August 20]]. Similarly, the front was the focus for thunderstorm development, and the precipitation continued moving over the same areas, leading to extended periods of heavy rainfall. As of [[August 27]], [[flood watch]]es remain in effect from Iowa to Ohio.<ref>{{cite web | title = August 19-21, 2007 | publisher = NWS - Cleveland | date = [[August 23]], [[2007]] | url = http://www.erh.noaa.gov/cle/wx_events/2007_08_20/Aug07Flood.html | accessdate = }}</ref> Approximately 1,000,000 homes lost electricity due to the storms.<ref name=AP/> |
The stationary front and associated energy then extended eastward through Illinois, Indiana and Ohio on [[August 19]] and [[August 20]]. Similarly, the front was the focus for thunderstorm development, and the precipitation continued moving over the same areas, leading to extended periods of heavy rainfall. As of [[August 27]], [[flood watch]]es remain in effect from Iowa to Ohio.<ref>{{cite web | title = August 19-21, 2007 | publisher = NWS - Cleveland | date = [[August 23]], [[2007]] | url = http://www.erh.noaa.gov/cle/wx_events/2007_08_20/Aug07Flood.html | accessdate = }}</ref> Approximately 1,000,000 homes lost electricity due to the storms.<ref name=AP/> |
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Runoff from the heavy rain also caused river flooding to the south of the affected areas. The [[Rock River]] near Joslin, Illinois peaked at 17.11 feet, |
Runoff from the heavy rain also caused river flooding to the south of the affected areas. The [[Rock River]] near Joslin, Illinois peaked at 17.11 feet, <span style="white-space:nowrap">5.11 feet (1.56 m)</span> above flood stage.<ref>{{cite news | title = Rock River to reach crest Tuesday | publisher = WQAD | date = [[August 28]], [[2007]] | url = http://www.wqad.com/Global/story.asp?S=6991434&nav=menu132_3_1 | accessdate = 2007-08-30 }}</ref> Moderate flooding was also reported on the [[Mississippi River]] from the [[Quad Cities]] to [[St. Louis, Missouri]]. |
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The city of [[Rockford, Illinois]] was deluged in the weeks preceding the major flooding during the third week of August. On [[August 7]], [[2007]], Rockford was hit by between 5–7 inches (127–178 mm) of rain. Many streets, including main thoroughfares, were flooded. There was also fear that the Alpine Dam might break.<ref name=smita>Kelokhe, Smita. "[http://www.wrex.com/News/index.php?ID=20435 Rockford's flooding same story again for dozens of victims]," ''13 WREX-TV (NBC), [[8 August]] [[2007]]. Retrieved on [[25 August]], [[2007]]</ref><ref name=Downpours>Downpours flood northern Illinois, ''Chicago Tribune'', [[7 August]] [[2007]]. Retrieved on [[August 08]], [[2007]]</ref> The following day, Governor [[Rod Blagojevich]] declared both Rockford and [[Winnebago County, Illinois|Winnebago County]] a state disaster area. With this declaration, he dispatched both the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the [[Illinois Department of Natural Resources]] to assist the city. Debris removal, law enforcement, damage assessment, and other duties were offered by the governor.<ref name=Downpours/> |
The city of [[Rockford, Illinois]] was deluged in the weeks preceding the major flooding during the third week of August. On [[August 7]], [[2007]], Rockford was hit by between 5–7 inches (127–178 mm) of rain. Many streets, including main thoroughfares, were flooded. There was also fear that the Alpine Dam might break.<ref name=smita>Kelokhe, Smita. "[http://www.wrex.com/News/index.php?ID=20435 Rockford's flooding same story again for dozens of victims]," ''13 WREX-TV (NBC), [[8 August]] [[2007]]. Retrieved on [[25 August]], [[2007]]</ref><ref name=Downpours>Downpours flood northern Illinois, ''Chicago Tribune'', [[7 August]] [[2007]]. Retrieved on [[August 08]], [[2007]]</ref> The following day, Governor [[Rod Blagojevich]] declared both Rockford and [[Winnebago County, Illinois|Winnebago County]] a state disaster area. With this declaration, he dispatched both the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the [[Illinois Department of Natural Resources]] to assist the city. Debris removal, law enforcement, damage assessment, and other duties were offered by the governor.<ref name=Downpours/> |
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[[Image:Byron, Illinois Park Flooded 03.JPG|thumb|left|The Rock River poured into this riverside park in Byron, Illinois on [[August 24]] and 25.]] |
[[Image:Byron, Illinois Park Flooded 03.JPG|thumb|left|The Rock River poured into this riverside park in Byron, Illinois on [[August 24]] and 25.]] |
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About two weeks later, following quick, violent storms on [[August 23]] that came through most of [[Chicagoland]], Governor [[Rod Blagojevich]] declared [[McHenry County, Illinois|McHenry]], [[Lake County, Illinois|Lake]], [[Cook County, Illinois|Cook]] (including Chicago), [[DuPage County, Illinois|DuPage]], and [[Kane County, Illinois|Kane]] counties disaster areas. Though not affected by flooding as it was on [[August 7]], the city of Rockford received |
About two weeks later, following quick, violent storms on [[August 23]] that came through most of [[Chicagoland]], Governor [[Rod Blagojevich]] declared [[McHenry County, Illinois|McHenry]], [[Lake County, Illinois|Lake]], [[Cook County, Illinois|Cook]] (including Chicago), [[DuPage County, Illinois|DuPage]], and [[Kane County, Illinois|Kane]] counties disaster areas. Though not affected by flooding as it was on [[August 7]], the city of Rockford received <span style="white-space:nowrap">1.23 inches (31 mm)</span> of rain setting an all time record for Rockford's wettest month in recorded climate data history with <span style="white-space:nowrap">13.82 inches (351 mm)</span> of rain.<ref name=wetaug>"[http://www.crh.noaa.gov/crnews/display_story.php?wfo=lot&storyid=9881&source=0 August 2007 is wettest month ever at Rockford]," ([[Press release]]), ''National Weather Service''. Retrieved [[25 August]] [[2007]].</ref> The storm shut down airports (including [[O'Hare International Airport]] and [[Midway International Airport]]), uprooted trees and left over 600,000 residents in northern Illinois without power, some for several days.<ref>[http://wmaq.weatherplus.com/weathernews/13960081/detail.html NBC 5 News]</ref> It also caused flooding on streets and major expressways. Wind gusts registered as high as <span style="white-space:nowrap">80 miles per hour (130 km/h)</span> in the area, with the high being reported in [[Manhattan, Illinois|Manhattan]].<ref name=CT>{{cite web| title =4 counties are disaster areas| publisher =Chicago Tribune| date =2007-08-24| url =http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-070824weathermain-story,1,4660280.story?track=rss| accessdate =2007-08-24}}</ref> Rainfall totals in [[Boone County, Illinois|Boone]] and [[LaSalle County, Illinois|LaSalle]] Counties topped 1987 records.<ref name=osborne/> Flooding across northern Illinois was widespread in the aftermath of the storms. Along the [[Rock River (Illinois)|Rock River]] in [[Byron, Illinois|Byron]] the river reached moderate flood stage on [[August 24]]; moderate stage is above <span style="white-space:nowrap">14 feet (4 m)</span>.<ref name=nwsbyron>"[http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ahps2/print_image.php?wfo=lot&gage=byri2&type=0 Rock River at Byron]," ([[PDF]]) (Does not render in Firefox), Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service, ''National Weather Service''. Retrieved [[25 August]] [[2007]].</ref> Officials in [[Ogle County, Illinois|Ogle County]] recommended people in low lying areas along the Rock River, and [[Killbuck Creek (Illinois)|Killbuck Creek]] near [[Lindenwood, Illinois|Lindenwood]] evacuate to higher ground.<ref name=osborne>Osborne, Melinda. "[http://www.saukvalley.com/articles/2007/08/25/news/local/63666825616284.txt Rain soaked and ready for more]," ''Sauk Valley Newspapers'', [[25 August]] [[2007]].</ref> Downstream, in [[Lee County, Illinois|Lee County]] at [[Dixon, Illinois|Dixon]], the river had not reached flood stage as off [[August 25]], though it continued to rise.<ref name=dixonnws>"[http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=lot&gage=dxoi2&view=1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1 Rock River at Dixon]," Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service, ''National Weather Service''. Retrieved [[25 August]] [[2007]].</ref> |
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[[Image:DeKalb Il Kishwaukee River Flood21.JPG|thumb|right|The [[Kishwaukee River]] crested above 15 feet on [[August 24]] submerging parts of [[DeKalb, Illinois]].]] |
[[Image:DeKalb Il Kishwaukee River Flood21.JPG|thumb|right|The [[Kishwaukee River]] crested above 15 feet on [[August 24]] submerging parts of [[DeKalb, Illinois]].]] |
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Other rivers and streams in the Rock River valley experienced major to moderate flooding as well. The [[Kishwaukee River]] at Perryville crested at |
Other rivers and streams in the Rock River valley experienced major to moderate flooding as well. The [[Kishwaukee River]] at Perryville crested at <span style="white-space:nowrap">17.57 feet (5.36 m)</span>, more than five feet above flood stage. The same river, in [[Belvidere, Illinois|Belvidere]], rose above flood stage on as well.<ref name=driscoll>Driscoll, Sean F. "[http://www.rrstar.com/homepage/x663481743 South of Rockford, rivers reach flood stage]," ''Rockford Register Star'', [[24 August]] [[2007]].</ref> After <span style="white-space:nowrap">4.85 inches (123 mm)</span> of rain on August 23 and 24 in [[DeKalb County, Illinois|DeKalb County]], at [[DeKalb, Illinois|DeKalb]], the Kishwaukee rose to its highest level since 1983 and its second highest level in recorded history.<ref name=schott/> Numerous roads and bridges were closed and the cities of DeKalb and [[Sycamore, Illinois|Sycamore]] declared local emergencies, though DeKalb County was not included in Blagojevich's initial disaster declaration.<ref name=schott>Schott, Kate. "[http://www.daily-chronicle.com/articles/2007/08/25/news/news02.txt DeKalb County begins cleaning up]," ''The Daily Chronicle'' ([[DeKalb, Illinois]]), [[25 August]] [[2007]]. Retrieved [[25 August]] [[2007]].</ref> In DeKalb and Sycamore about 600 residents were displaced from their homes and the DeKalb campus of [[Northern Illinois University]] was closed because of the flood.<ref name=msnbc>"[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20436737/ Northern Illinois braces for more rain, flooding]," ''Associated Press'', via MSNBC.com, [[25 August]] [[2007]]. Retrieved [[25 August]] [[2007]].</ref> |
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The [[Fox River (Illinois)|Fox River]] at Dayton crested after it rose to more than |
The [[Fox River (Illinois)|Fox River]] at Dayton crested after it rose to more than <span style="white-space:nowrap">17 feet (5 m)</span>, over five feet above the river's flood stage.<ref name=nwsdayton>[http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ahps2/tabular.php?wfo=lot&gage=dayi2 Tabular data]," ([http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=lot&gage=dayi2&view=1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1 Fox River at Dayton]), Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service, ''National Weather Service''. Retrieved [[25 August]] [[2007]].</ref> At [[Starved Rock State Park]] parking lots were closed due to the level of the [[Illinois River]] which stood at 26.5 feet on [[August 25]], <span style="white-space:nowrap">6.5 feet (2 m)</span> above its flood stage.<ref name=szuda>Szuda, Stephanie. "[http://mywebtimes.com/ottnews/archives/ottawa/display.php?id=325021 Fox River exceeds flood stage by five feet]," ''The Times'' ([[Ottawa, Illinois]]), [[25 August]] [[2007]]. Retrieved [[25 August]] [[2007]].</ref> At [[Plano, Illinois]] the Fox rose up around the historic [[Farnsworth House]], a modern architecture masterpiece designed by [[Ludwig Mies van der Rohe]]. Preservationists utilized a boat in an attempt to save the home and its furnishings, which were devastated by high water in 1996.<ref name=nyt/> |
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==Indiana== |
==Indiana== |
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In [[Dyer, Indiana]], southeast of Chicago, authorities evacuated 70 patients from St. Margaret Mercy Hospital after a waters from a nearby creek started seeping into the hospital.<ref>{{cite news | title = Storms' effects weigh on Midwest | publisher = Associated Press | date = [[August 25]], [[2007]] | url = http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/08/25/severe.weather.ap/index.html | accessdate = 2007-08-25 }}</ref> Also in northwest Indiana a section of [[ |
In [[Dyer, Indiana]], southeast of Chicago, authorities evacuated 70 patients from St. Margaret Mercy Hospital after a waters from a nearby creek started seeping into the hospital.<ref>{{cite news | title = Storms' effects weigh on Midwest | publisher = Associated Press | date = [[August 25]], [[2007]] | url = http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/08/25/severe.weather.ap/index.html | accessdate = 2007-08-25 }}</ref> Also in northwest Indiana a section of [[Interstate 80]]/[[Interstate 94|94]] ([[Borman Expressway]]) was closed on August 24 due to flooding on the roadway.<ref name=nyt>Bunkley, Nick. "[http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/25/us/25storms.html?ref=us Difficult cleanup lies ahead for soaked Midwest]," ''The New York Times'', [[25 August]] [[2007]]. Retrieved [[25 August]] [[2007]].</ref> It was able to be reopened on [[August 27]].<ref name=AP/> |
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==Iowa== |
==Iowa== |
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The [[Des Moines River]] near [[Fort Dodge, Iowa|Fort Dodge]] crested at |
The [[Des Moines River]] near [[Fort Dodge, Iowa|Fort Dodge]] crested at <span style="white-space:nowrap">4 feet (1.2 m)</span> above flood stage necessitating the evacuation of three subdivisions.<ref name=NPR/> In [[Ottumwa, Iowa|Ottumwa]], storm sewers backed up into the city's [[Water treatment|water treatment plant]], shutting four pumps down and leaving the entire town without adequate drinking water.<ref>{{cite news | last = Jacobs | first = Jennifer | coauthors = Petroski William | title = Flood misery extends south | publisher = [[Des Moines Register]] | date = [[August 24]], [[2007]] | url = http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070825/NEWS/708250343/-1/SPORTS06 | accessdate = 2007-08-25 }}</ref> This was caused by heavy rainfall of over <span style="white-space:nowrap">12 inches (304.8 mm)</span> that fell in southeast Iowa during the night of [[August 23]] - [[August 24]].<ref>{{cite web |
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| title = Flooding Rains Again Hit Iowa | publisher = National Weather Service - Des Moines | date = [[August 25]], [[2007]] | url = http://www.crh.noaa.gov/crnews/display_story.php?wfo=dmx&storyid=9857&source=0 | accessdate = 2007-08-25 }}</ref> Many roads in the capital city of Des Moines were flooded on Thursday, August 23, 2007 including Capital St. |
| title = Flooding Rains Again Hit Iowa | publisher = National Weather Service - Des Moines | date = [[August 25]], [[2007]] | url = http://www.crh.noaa.gov/crnews/display_story.php?wfo=dmx&storyid=9857&source=0 | accessdate = 2007-08-25 }}</ref> Many roads in the capital city of Des Moines were flooded on Thursday, August 23, 2007 including Capital St. |
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==Minnesota== |
==Minnesota== |
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[[Image:Rochesterflood.jpg|thumb|right|Flash flood in [[Rochester, Minnesota]]]]A large swath of heavy rain fell across most of southern Minnesota during Saturday [[August 18]] and Sunday [[August 19]], with the highest totals in the far [[Southeast Minnesota|southeast counties]] of the state. Twenty-four hour rainfall totals of |
[[Image:Rochesterflood.jpg|thumb|right|Flash flood in [[Rochester, Minnesota]]]]A large swath of heavy rain fell across most of southern Minnesota during Saturday [[August 18]] and Sunday [[August 19]], with the highest totals in the far [[Southeast Minnesota|southeast counties]] of the state. Twenty-four hour rainfall totals of <span style="white-space:nowrap">15.10 inches (384 mm)</span> were recorded in [[Hokah, Minnesota|Hokah]], which easily broke the old state record of <span style="white-space:nowrap">10.84 inches (275 mm)</span> for a twenty-four hour period. An unofficial twenty-four hour total of over <span style="white-space:nowrap">17 inches (432 mm)</span> was recorded near [[Caledonia, Minnesota|Caledonia]]. During the entire weekend rainfall event, parts or all of 28 counties in Minnesota received at least <span style="white-space:nowrap">4 inches (102 mm)</span> of rain. The highest total for the entire event was <span style="white-space:nowrap">18.17 inches (462 mm)</span> near [[La Crescent, Minnesota|La Crescent]].<ref>{{cite web |
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| title = Heavy rains fall on southern Minnesota: August 18 - August 20 | publisher = Minnesota Climatology Office | date = [[August 22]], [[2007]] | url = http://climate.umn.edu/doc/journal/flash_floods/ff070820.htm | accessdate = 2007-08-24 }}</ref> |
| title = Heavy rains fall on southern Minnesota: August 18 - August 20 | publisher = Minnesota Climatology Office | date = [[August 22]], [[2007]] | url = http://climate.umn.edu/doc/journal/flash_floods/ff070820.htm | accessdate = 2007-08-24 }}</ref> |
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==Ohio== |
==Ohio== |
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The [[Blanchard River (Ohio)|Blanchard River]] was |
The [[Blanchard River (Ohio)|Blanchard River]] was <span style="white-space:nowrap">7.5 feet (2 m)</span> above flood level in [[Findlay, Ohio|Findlay]], the highest since 1913, while [[Bucyrus, Ohio|Bucyrus]] received <span style="white-space:nowrap">9 inches (229 mm)</span> of rain. Inmates were moved from a [[Hancock County, Ohio|Hancock County]] jail and several hundred others were evacuated from their homes in [[Crawford County, Ohio|Crawford County]].<ref name=NPR>{{cite web| title =Midwest Battles Floods, Heat| publisher =National Public radio| date =2007-08-23| url =http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=13885962&sourceCode=RSS| accessdate =2007-08-23}}</ref> A 92-year-old man drowned trying to get to safety after his car became trapped in floodwater near [[Findlay, Ohio|Findlay]].<ref name=APYahoo>{{cite web| title =Heavy rain, flooding plagues Midwest | publisher =Yahoo! News/Associated Press| date =2007-08-24| url =http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070824/ap_on_re_us/flooding| accessdate =2007-08-24}}</ref> The river also reached to <span style="white-space:nowrap">8.7 feet (3 m)</span> above flood level in [[Ottawa, Ohio]].<ref name=NOAA>{{cite web| title =Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service | publisher =NOAA| date =2007-08-26| url =http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=iwx&gage=otto1&view=1,1,1,1,1,1&toggles=10,7,8,2,9,15,6| accessdate =2007-08-26}}</ref> The cities of [[Bellevue, Ohio|Bellevue]] and [[Shelby, Ohio|Shelby]] also had severe flooding that forced residents from their homes. [[Allen County, Ohio|Allen]], [[Crawford County, Ohio|Crawford]], [[Hancock County, Ohio|Hancock]], [[Putnam County, Ohio|Putnam]], [[Richland County, Ohio|Richland]], and [[Wyandot County, Ohio|Wyandot]] counties were declared [[Federal government of the United States|federal]] [[disaster area]]s.<ref name=fema /> |
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==Wisconsin== |
==Wisconsin== |
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[[Category:Floods in the United States]] |
[[Category:Floods in the United States]] |
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[[no:Oversvømmelsene i USA 2007]] |
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Revision as of 03:55, 31 August 2007
File:Sh74flood.jpg | |
Date | August 17 – 24, 2007 |
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Location | Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin |
Deaths | 18[1] |
Property damage | > $115 million |
The 2007 Midwest flooding was a major flooding event that occurred in the Midwestern United States in the third week of August 2007. While Hurricane Dean was affecting the Yucatan Peninsula and the Gulf of Mexico, and Tropical Storm Erin was affecting Oklahoma and Texas, a persistent storm system hung over the Midwest for several days, causing repeated flash flooding in the U.S. states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Cool Canadian air clashed with large quantities of warm moist air from the gulf, producing torrential rains along a stationary front. Eighteen deaths across the central United States have been attributed to the resulting flooding,[2][3][1] and 17 counties in Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin have been declared Federal Disaster Areas.[4]
Meteorological synopsis
On Saturday August 18 a warm front pushed northward into Iowa and Illinois, where it became stationary. Warm, moist air pushing over the front provided the necessary moisture to fuel showers and thunderstorms, which moved in a west to east training fashion. Some parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa saw moderate to heavy rain for nearly a full day before the activity finally cleared out. Additional thunderstorms formed over these areas on Sunday August 19, exacerbating the flooding problems.[5] Though the remnants of Tropical Storm Erin did not directly impact these areas, moisture from Erin streamed northward, enhancing the thunderstorm activity.[6]
The stationary front and associated energy then extended eastward through Illinois, Indiana and Ohio on August 19 and August 20. Similarly, the front was the focus for thunderstorm development, and the precipitation continued moving over the same areas, leading to extended periods of heavy rainfall. As of August 27, flood watches remain in effect from Iowa to Ohio.[7] Approximately 1,000,000 homes lost electricity due to the storms.[1]
Runoff from the heavy rain also caused river flooding to the south of the affected areas. The Rock River near Joslin, Illinois peaked at 17.11 feet, 5.11 feet (1.56 m) above flood stage.[8] Moderate flooding was also reported on the Mississippi River from the Quad Cities to St. Louis, Missouri.
Summary of Casualties and damage | |||
---|---|---|---|
State | Counties affected | Fatalities | Estimated Damage |
Illinois | 7 | 2 | |
Indiana | 1 | 0 | |
Iowa | 1 | ||
Minnesota | 7 | 7 | $67 million |
Ohio | 6 | 1 | |
Wisconsin | 5 | 3 | $48 million |
Illinois
The city of Rockford, Illinois was deluged in the weeks preceding the major flooding during the third week of August. On August 7, 2007, Rockford was hit by between 5–7 inches (127–178 mm) of rain. Many streets, including main thoroughfares, were flooded. There was also fear that the Alpine Dam might break.[9][10] The following day, Governor Rod Blagojevich declared both Rockford and Winnebago County a state disaster area. With this declaration, he dispatched both the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to assist the city. Debris removal, law enforcement, damage assessment, and other duties were offered by the governor.[10]
About two weeks later, following quick, violent storms on August 23 that came through most of Chicagoland, Governor Rod Blagojevich declared McHenry, Lake, Cook (including Chicago), DuPage, and Kane counties disaster areas. Though not affected by flooding as it was on August 7, the city of Rockford received 1.23 inches (31 mm) of rain setting an all time record for Rockford's wettest month in recorded climate data history with 13.82 inches (351 mm) of rain.[11] The storm shut down airports (including O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport), uprooted trees and left over 600,000 residents in northern Illinois without power, some for several days.[12] It also caused flooding on streets and major expressways. Wind gusts registered as high as 80 miles per hour (130 km/h) in the area, with the high being reported in Manhattan.[13] Rainfall totals in Boone and LaSalle Counties topped 1987 records.[14] Flooding across northern Illinois was widespread in the aftermath of the storms. Along the Rock River in Byron the river reached moderate flood stage on August 24; moderate stage is above 14 feet (4 m).[15] Officials in Ogle County recommended people in low lying areas along the Rock River, and Killbuck Creek near Lindenwood evacuate to higher ground.[14] Downstream, in Lee County at Dixon, the river had not reached flood stage as off August 25, though it continued to rise.[16]
Other rivers and streams in the Rock River valley experienced major to moderate flooding as well. The Kishwaukee River at Perryville crested at 17.57 feet (5.36 m), more than five feet above flood stage. The same river, in Belvidere, rose above flood stage on as well.[17] After 4.85 inches (123 mm) of rain on August 23 and 24 in DeKalb County, at DeKalb, the Kishwaukee rose to its highest level since 1983 and its second highest level in recorded history.[18] Numerous roads and bridges were closed and the cities of DeKalb and Sycamore declared local emergencies, though DeKalb County was not included in Blagojevich's initial disaster declaration.[18] In DeKalb and Sycamore about 600 residents were displaced from their homes and the DeKalb campus of Northern Illinois University was closed because of the flood.[19]
The Fox River at Dayton crested after it rose to more than 17 feet (5 m), over five feet above the river's flood stage.[20] At Starved Rock State Park parking lots were closed due to the level of the Illinois River which stood at 26.5 feet on August 25, 6.5 feet (2 m) above its flood stage.[21] At Plano, Illinois the Fox rose up around the historic Farnsworth House, a modern architecture masterpiece designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Preservationists utilized a boat in an attempt to save the home and its furnishings, which were devastated by high water in 1996.[22]
Indiana
In Dyer, Indiana, southeast of Chicago, authorities evacuated 70 patients from St. Margaret Mercy Hospital after a waters from a nearby creek started seeping into the hospital.[23] Also in northwest Indiana a section of Interstate 80/94 (Borman Expressway) was closed on August 24 due to flooding on the roadway.[22] It was able to be reopened on August 27.[1]
Iowa
The Des Moines River near Fort Dodge crested at 4 feet (1.2 m) above flood stage necessitating the evacuation of three subdivisions.[3] In Ottumwa, storm sewers backed up into the city's water treatment plant, shutting four pumps down and leaving the entire town without adequate drinking water.[24] This was caused by heavy rainfall of over 12 inches (304.8 mm) that fell in southeast Iowa during the night of August 23 - August 24.[25] Many roads in the capital city of Des Moines were flooded on Thursday, August 23, 2007 including Capital St.
Minnesota
A large swath of heavy rain fell across most of southern Minnesota during Saturday August 18 and Sunday August 19, with the highest totals in the far southeast counties of the state. Twenty-four hour rainfall totals of 15.10 inches (384 mm) were recorded in Hokah, which easily broke the old state record of 10.84 inches (275 mm) for a twenty-four hour period. An unofficial twenty-four hour total of over 17 inches (432 mm) was recorded near Caledonia. During the entire weekend rainfall event, parts or all of 28 counties in Minnesota received at least 4 inches (102 mm) of rain. The highest total for the entire event was 18.17 inches (462 mm) near La Crescent.[26]
Southeastern Minnesota and southwestern Wisconsin are in the Driftless Area, which was not covered by the last glaciation and therefore is not covered by deep layers of glacial till. The soils therefore are thin and less able to retain water; they lie atop porous rock into and through which surface waters can rapidly drain into the water table.[27] The highly-dissected topography, characterized by steep hills and bluffs and deep coulees, gives steep gradients to the drainage and makes streams highly erosive. As the rains far exceeded the absorbtion rate of 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) in six hours, flash floods rapidly overflowed the water courses and spread across the valley floors.[28][29] The towns of Stockton, Houston, Elba and portions of Winona, on the Mississippi River, were evacuated. Citizens were evacuated to St. Mary's College in Winona, Lewiston and Caledonia, Minnesota. Governor Tim Pawlenty ordered 240 National Guard soldiers to help and declared a state of emergency in six counties. The Minnesota Army National Guard soldiers guarded communities that were cleared out after the flooding early August 19. The Army Corps of Engineers opened up the floodgates on the rising Root River to release some of the water creating pressure on the dike in Houston.[30]
High flood waters on the Middle Branch of the Whitewater River, which runs through Whitewater State Park destroyed three bridges and damaged campgrounds, bathhouses, a group dining hall, and water and sewer systems in the park. About 500 campers were staying in Whitewater State Park at the time.[31] The park was closed to the public on August 20, 2007 for an indefinite period of time.[32] E. coli bacteria was found in the Rushford's water supply and residents were urged not to use it until the city's water system could be flushed.[33] Amtrak train service between Minneapolis and La Crosse, Wisconsin was shut down for a week because of damage to the tracks. Passengers were bussed between the two until repairs could be made.[34] The passenger rail line resumed service on August 27 after repairs were made.[1]
State Senator Sharon Erickson Ropes stated after initial flooding, "This is the worst disaster that's hit southeast Minnesota in a lifetime."[35] Four thousand two hundred homes were damaged or destroyed in the state, and seven deaths have been reported.[3] It is estimated that there has been $67 million in damages..[36] Dodge, Fillmore, Houston, Olmsted, Steele, Wabasha and Winona counties were declared federal disaster areas.[4]
Ohio
The Blanchard River was 7.5 feet (2 m) above flood level in Findlay, the highest since 1913, while Bucyrus received 9 inches (229 mm) of rain. Inmates were moved from a Hancock County jail and several hundred others were evacuated from their homes in Crawford County.[3] A 92-year-old man drowned trying to get to safety after his car became trapped in floodwater near Findlay.[37] The river also reached to 8.7 feet (3 m) above flood level in Ottawa, Ohio.[38] The cities of Bellevue and Shelby also had severe flooding that forced residents from their homes. Allen, Crawford, Hancock, Putnam, Richland, and Wyandot counties were declared federal disaster areas.[4]
Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, Governor Jim Doyle declared a state of emergency on August 20 in three counties in the southwest corner of his state after weekend rain dropped 10–12 inches (254–305 mm).[39] More than 200 homes were flooded in the Crawford County communities of Gays Mills and Soldiers Grove, each with about 600 to 640 residents. A mudslide pushed one house onto state Highway 35 in Vernon County.[40] Approximately $48 million in damages were reported in 12 Wisconsin counties.[41] Crawford, La Crosse, Richland, Sauk, and Vernon counties were declared federal disaster areas.[4]
In Madison a mother and daughter waiting for a Madison Metro bus were electrocuted when lightning struck a power line and caused it to fall onto a flooded street in which they were standing, while another child was injured. A passenger on the bus was killed, and the driver was injured, both having been shocked after coming out of the bus to help.[42]
Prior to this torrential rain and flooding event, much of the state was in a moderate to severe drought that had persisted until mid-August. Although the southern half of the state received abundant precipitation, an upper-level high pressure ridge centered in Quebec caused a cut-off of precipitation to the north, leaving much of northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan with continued drought conditions.[43]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e "Ohio Governor Calls for Federal Help". National Public Radio. 2007-08-27. Retrieved 2007-08-27.
- ^ "Eight dead as floods plague central U.S." Reuters. 2007-08-23. Retrieved 2007-08-23.
- ^ a b c d "Midwest Battles Floods, Heat". National Public radio. 2007-08-23. Retrieved 2007-08-23.
- ^ a b c d "2007 Federal Disaster Declarations". FEMA. August 26, 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-27.
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(help) - ^ "Historic Rainfall and Flooding Event of August 18-20, 2007". NWS - La Crosse. August 22, 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-24.
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(help) - ^ Title Ong, Bao (August 19, 2007). "Flooding leaves 6 dead, 1 missing". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved 2007-08-24.
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(help) - ^ "August 19-21, 2007". NWS - Cleveland. August 23, 2007.
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(help) - ^ "Rock River to reach crest Tuesday". WQAD. August 28, 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-30.
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(help) - ^ Kelokhe, Smita. "Rockford's flooding same story again for dozens of victims," 13 WREX-TV (NBC), 8 August 2007. Retrieved on 25 August, 2007
- ^ a b Downpours flood northern Illinois, Chicago Tribune, 7 August 2007. Retrieved on August 08, 2007
- ^ "August 2007 is wettest month ever at Rockford," (Press release), National Weather Service. Retrieved 25 August 2007.
- ^ NBC 5 News
- ^ "4 counties are disaster areas". Chicago Tribune. 2007-08-24. Retrieved 2007-08-24.
- ^ a b Osborne, Melinda. "Rain soaked and ready for more," Sauk Valley Newspapers, 25 August 2007.
- ^ "Rock River at Byron," (PDF) (Does not render in Firefox), Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service, National Weather Service. Retrieved 25 August 2007.
- ^ "Rock River at Dixon," Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service, National Weather Service. Retrieved 25 August 2007.
- ^ Driscoll, Sean F. "South of Rockford, rivers reach flood stage," Rockford Register Star, 24 August 2007.
- ^ a b Schott, Kate. "DeKalb County begins cleaning up," The Daily Chronicle (DeKalb, Illinois), 25 August 2007. Retrieved 25 August 2007.
- ^ "Northern Illinois braces for more rain, flooding," Associated Press, via MSNBC.com, 25 August 2007. Retrieved 25 August 2007.
- ^ Tabular data," (Fox River at Dayton), Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service, National Weather Service. Retrieved 25 August 2007.
- ^ Szuda, Stephanie. "Fox River exceeds flood stage by five feet," The Times (Ottawa, Illinois), 25 August 2007. Retrieved 25 August 2007.
- ^ a b Bunkley, Nick. "Difficult cleanup lies ahead for soaked Midwest," The New York Times, 25 August 2007. Retrieved 25 August 2007.
- ^ "Storms' effects weigh on Midwest". Associated Press. August 25, 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-25.
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(help) - ^ Jacobs, Jennifer (August 24, 2007). "Flood misery extends south". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 2007-08-25.
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suggested) (help) - ^ "Flooding Rains Again Hit Iowa". National Weather Service - Des Moines. August 25, 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-25.
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(help) - ^ "Heavy rains fall on southern Minnesota: August 18 - August 20". Minnesota Climatology Office. August 22, 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-24.
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(help) - ^ Ojakangas, Richard W.; Matsch, Charles L. (1982), Minnesota's Geology, Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, ISBN 0-8166-0953-5
- ^ "Deep Valleys Make SE Minn. Vulnerable". wcco.com. 2007-08-20. Retrieved 2007-08-29.
- ^ Seroka, Scott (2007-08-21). "Southeastern Minnesota, long prone to flash floods". kare11.com. Retrieved 2007-08-29.
- ^ Floods In Minnesota, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Kill 13 CBS 3 Philadelphia.
- ^ "Flooding shuts down state's No. 2 campground, ruins hatcheries". Rochester Post-Bulletin. 2007-08-25. Retrieved 2007-08-25.
- ^ "Flooding". MN DNR. 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-24.
- ^ Shah, Allie (August 24, 2007). "Residents warned of E.coli found in Rushford city water". Minneapolis Star Tribune. Retrieved 2007-08-26.
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suggested) (help) - ^ Shelman, Jeff (August 25, 2007). "Amtrak returns to rails, skipping 2 stops". Minneapolis Star Tribune. Retrieved 2007-08-25.
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(help) - ^ Flooding causes millions in damage in southwestern Wisconsin Green Bay Press Gazette.
- ^ "SE Minn. flood damage tops $67M". Associated Press. August 27, 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-27.
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(help) - ^ "Heavy rain, flooding plagues Midwest". Yahoo! News/Associated Press. 2007-08-24. Retrieved 2007-08-24.
- ^ "Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service". NOAA. 2007-08-26. Retrieved 2007-08-26.
- ^ Northlands News Center.Up to Six Deaths Attributed to Flooding in Southeastern Minnesota
- ^ Bauer, Scott (2007-08-20). "12 Die in Midwest Flooding". Forbes. Retrieved 2007-08-20.
- ^ "La Crosse fundraiser nets more than $300,000 for flood victims". Associated Press. August 25, 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-25.
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(help) - ^ Marley, Patrick (August 22, 2007). "3 killed as lightning hits near Madison bus stop". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 2007-08-24.
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suggested) (help) - ^ "Wisconsin declares drought emergency, seeks federal aid". TwinCities.com. 2007-08-14. Retrieved 2007-08-25.
External links
- Amateur video of a flash flood in a residential area - Minneapolis Star Tribune
- Rainfall totals & prediction - Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service