Dane County Floods

Update 8/24, 4:20 PM: Madison Metro Bus Service is free this weekend. Volunteers needed to fill sandbags at Tenney Beach and Oneida Park in Monona. Updates on lake levels from the City of Madison.

We have had unprecedented flooding in Dane County and seen the devastating effects particularly in western Dane County. It is really tough on a lot of people who have had significant property damage and our hearts go out to our neighbors who have lost their lives or been injured.

We are all connected by our chain of lakes and that water is all making its way to Lake Mendota, The Yahara River, Lake Monona and our entire chain of lakes.  The Yahara is of particular concern for flooding. Thank you to all the volunteers who stepped up today to fill sand bags and set them up at the Yahara River Apartments. Special thanks to Common Wealth Development for coordinating this.

Important info going forward.  Street closures and up to date information can be found here (city):

http://www.cityofmadison.com/live-work/extreme-weather/flooding

Of particular interest is that Willy St will not allow parking and will have traffic in all lanes to ease congestion. The city will drop 17,000 door hangers with this info.

and here is county flood info:

https://dcflood.countyofdane.com/

I am also doing extensive updates on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/yogeshfordanecountyboard/

I was just in a committee meeting and Land and Water assured me that they have confidence in the Tenney Dam. Here is audiot from the meeting:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1FKsLFRdxTJl4ZhHgqNwNpzs4kW7K6ngM

Sand bags available here:

http://www.cityofmadison.com/engineering/sandbags.cfm

Here is great information from Supervisor Danner on Flood Preparation:

https://www.kellydanner.org/news-notes/2018/8/24/preparing-for-more-flooding

It was worked on in the last few years and reinforced. Also County has trucks filled with rip rap and an emergency plan to secure the dam if needed. Letting the water out today was purposefully done to relieve pressure on the infrastructure.

I was out and about now assessing the flood waters on the Yahara River with Rep. Chris Taylor and will be on WORT-FM during the 8 o clock buzz.

We are not out of the woods yet and we will need to keep a close eye on the forecasted rain in the next week. I will provide updates as soon as I have them.

Please be safe out there and do whatever you can to help your neighbors. Going forward, this will be one of the many climate change disasters we will face. I will be restarting the conversation on lowering the lake levels in the coming months. 

UPDATE: If you have cars parked along the Yahara, I suggest moving them. Here are some updates on short term parking for affected areas:

Residents in impacted areas may purchase a short-term (1-2 week) “monthly” pass to park in a City parking garage during flood conditions in the isthmus.  The passes provide guaranteed availability, unlimited 24/7 access, and a significant rate discount compared to the daily cost at the public hourly rate.   Additionally, 24/7 permit holders may park in excess of the 48 hour time limit in City parking garages. 
 
The cost of the permit is based on the number of days purchased, at a flat rate of $7.00 per day (24-hour period). Residents may select the dates that they would like the permit to be valid and select the parking location of their choice from the following facility options: Government East Garage, State Street Capitol Garage, Capitol Square North Garage, Overture Center Garage, and State Street Campus Garage.
 
Contact the Parking Utility at (608) 267-8752 (Patrick Hoeth, monthly parking permit program administration) or the Parking Utility main office at (608) 266-4761 for more information.
 
Residents who live at an address located on a street and block listed below are eligible to purchase a short-term 24/7 permit.

Williamson St - Both Sides
(Jenifer to Thornton)8/23 - 8/31

N. Baldwin St - Southbound Lane
(E. Mifflin to E. Washington)8/23 - 8/31

N. Dickinson St - Both Sides
(E. Johnson to E. Washington)8/23 - 8/31

North St - Southbound Lane
(E. Dayton to E. Washington)8/23 - 8/31

E. Washington Ave - Intersections
(Blount to Baldwin)8/23 - 8/31