'We're hurting' — Residents brace for historic flood

Both Fort Atkinson and Jefferson have declared flooding emergencies as rivers continue to rise above record levels and residents and volunteers fill sandbags and brace for the worst.

In Fort Atkinson, officials were encouraging residents and business owners near the Bark and Rock rivers to be prepared to evacuate on short notice and advising that those who choose to remain in flooded areas do so at their own risk.

The notice, which City Manager John Wilmet said has never been issued before, has been distributed to everyone east of East and Zida streets; residents along the Rock River from South Water Street/East Milwaukee Avenue to Sherman Avenue from the eastern city limits to the pedestrian bridge; everything east of Wilcox Street from Sherman Avenue to Fourth street and east of High Street from Fourth Street to the city limits and from Wilson Avenue to the west on Riverside Drive.

The notice was issued Tuesday afternoon and, after reviewing the projected river levels this morning, Wilmet said the area is likely to expand.

“Yesterday, we thought it would be manageable,” Wilmet said this morning. “But after reviewing the numbers this morning, that hits a whole other level of the city.”

Wilmet added that the city is concerned about the Rock River’s level at the Main Street bridge and, depending on how high the water climbs, the bridge may need to be closed.

Sandbags are available at the Fort Atkinson Fire Department, but the supply is going fast.
“They’re going almost as fast as we can get them,” Wilmet said.