National
Storm evaluation, recovery continues
Reports of road flooding, downed trees and powerlines, mudslides.
Evaluations still underway after storms rolled through the area from Wednesday night through Thursday morning.
Several hundred people evacuated their homes early Thursday in the small western Wisconsin community of Arcadia where heavy rain has sent Turton Creek over its banks.
Mayor Robert Reichwein said the downtown area and Highway 95, are flooded as well as some residential areas. Reichwein said employees working overnight at Ashley Furniture, were also evacuated to higher ground.
The Red Cross has set up a shelter at Holy Family Catholic Church for evacuees.
Widespread flooding in western Wisconsin and southeastern Minnesota has closed roads and triggered mudslides.
Flooding closed numerous roads. Falling trees knocked down power lines throughout the area.
The La Crosse fire department says they had to roll out their Dry Land Access Vehicle to rescue stranded drivers in high waters.
The same department responded to several calls about downed power lines but say no injuries were reported.
Rain fall amounts were significant. More than six inches of rain was recorded in Galesville. Five inches in West Salem. Other areas recorded similar rainfall amounts.
A possible tornado may have hit McGregor, Iowa.
A mudslide has closed part of Highway 95 near Fountain City.
Numerous roads in Vernon and Buffalo counties were also affected by flooding. Roads to the community of Arcadia in Trempealeau County were closed due to flooding.
In Minnesota, mudslides or flooding have made parts of some highways impassable, including Interstate 90 and Highways 16, 26 and 61 in Winona and Houston counties.
La Crosse county Emergency Management director, Keith Butler expects to have damage assessment completed sometime this morning.
The WAFER food pantry in La Crosse closed this morning due to flooding.
The National Weather Service in La Crosse predicts more severe weather and heavy rains beginning on Friday.
