2007 Midwest flooding

Natural disaster in the United States This article is about the floods in the Midwestern United States. For the flooding events in Oklahoma, Texas, and Missouri, see Tropical Storm Erin (2007). May 2025 January 2026 Flood waters took down a bridge on Minnesota State Highway 74. 2007 Midwest flooding August 17–24, 2007> $549 million 18John Seewar Joshua Freed Mike Wilson Scott Bauer Jim Salter Ohio Governor Calls for Federal Help NPR Associated Press August 25, 2007 https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12909776 August 27, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070825084736/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12909776 August 25, 2007 Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin 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 Yucatán 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 US 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. 5 deaths across the central United States were attributed to the resulting flooding. 5 dead as floods plague central U.S. Reuters August 23, 2007 http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews&storyid=2007-08-23T100817Z_01_N22235695_RTRUKOC_0_US-MIDWEST-FLOODS.xml&src=nl_usmorningdigest August 23, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20110522105417/http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews&storyid=2007-08-23T100817Z_01_N22235695_RTRUKOC_0_US-MIDWEST-FLOODS.xml&src=nl_usmorningdigest May 22, 2011 dead Seven Minnesota counties,Designated Counties: Minnesota Severe Storms and Flooding Disaster Declarations Federal Emergency Management Agency http://www.fema.gov/disaster/1717/affected-counties February 13, 2013July 2025 medicmedic eight Ohio counties,Designated Counties: Ohio Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes Disaster Declarations Federal Emergency Management Agency http://www.fema.gov/disaster/1720/affected-counties February 13, 2013July 2025 medicmedic fourteen counties in Wisconsin,Designated Counties: Wisconsin Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes Disaster Declarations Federal Emergency Management Agency http://www.fema.gov/disaster/1719/affected-counties February 13, 2013July 2025 medicmedic and seven counties in Illinois were declared Federal Disaster Areas.Designated Counties: Illinois Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes Disaster Declarations Federal Emergency Management Agency http://www.fema.gov/disaster/1729/affected-counties February 13, 2013July 2025 medicmedic Meteorological synopsis thumb|right|Radar estimated rainfall totals from August 18–25, 2007. thumb|right|Weather map from National Weather Service On Saturday, August 18, a warm front pushed northward into Iowa and Illinois, where it became stationary. Warm, moist air pushing over the frontal boundary fueled showers and thunderstorms that moved in a west-to-east fashion, training over the same areas for hours at a time. 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.Historic Rainfall and Flooding Event of August 18–20, 2007 NWS – La Crosse August 22, 2007 http://www.crh.noaa.gov/arx/?n=aug1907 August 24, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20110523203709/http://www.crh.noaa.gov/arx/?n=aug1907 May 23, 2011 live Tropical Storm Erin had pushed into the coast of Texas on August 15, and by August 18 had stalled over Oklahoma. Though the remnants of Erin did not directly impact the flooding in these areas, moisture from Erin streamed northward, enhancing the thunderstorm activity for two to three days.Title Ong Bao St. Paul Pioneer Press Flooding leaves 6 dead, 1 missing August 19, 2007 http://www.twincities.com/minnesota/ci_6666234?source=rv&nclick_check=1 August 24, 2007 https://archive.today/20130205084151/http://www.twincities.com/minnesota/ci_6666234?source=rv&nclick_check=1 February 5, 2013 live The stationary front and associated energy then extended eastward through Illinois, Indiana and Ohio on August 19 and 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. Approximately 1,000,000 homes lost electricity due to the storms. 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 ft m 2 above flood stage.Rock River to reach crest Tuesday WQAD August 28, 2007 http://www.wqad.com/Global/story.asp?S=6991434&nav=menu132_3_1 August 30, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20080618231309/http://www.wqad.com/Global/story.asp?S=6991434&nav=menu132_3_1 June 18, 2008 live Moderate flooding was also reported on the Mississippi River from the Quad Cities to St. Louis, Missouri. Summary of Casualties and DamageAugust 12, 2008 NCDC Storm Events National Climatic Data Center http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwEvent~Storms February 24, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20080814144145/http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~storms August 14, 2008 dead StateCounties affectedFatalitiesEstimated DamageIllinois72$22.8 millionIndiana10$5 millionIowa1$8 millionMinnesota77$179 millionOhio61$241 millionWisconsin53$93 million Illinois thumb|right|The Rock River cascading over the Oregon Dam on August 25, between Dixon and Byron, Illinois. See comparison photo. The city of Rockford, Illinois was deluged in the weeks preceding the major flooding during the third week of August. On August 7, Rockford was hit by five to seven inches (127–178 mm) of rain. Many streets, including main thoroughfares, were flooded. There was also fear that the Alpine Dam might break.Kelokhe, Smita. "https://archive.today/20070729055612/http://www.wrex.com/News/index.php?ID=20435 Rockford's flooding same story again for dozens of victims," 13 WREX-TV (NBC), August 8, 2007. Retrieved on August 25, 2007Downpours flood northern Illinois, Chicago Tribune, August 7, 2007. Retrieved on August 8, 2007 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 physical assistance were offered by the governor. thumb|left|The Rock River poured into this riverside park in Byron, Illinois on August 24–25. Two weeks later on August 23, violent storms rolled through most of the Chicago metropolitan area. Tornado warnings were issued during the first round of storms, which produced wind gusts as high as 80 miles per hour (130 km/h); the highest being reported in Manhattan.4 counties are disaster areas Chicago Tribune August 24, 2007 http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-070824weathermain-story,1,4660280.story?track=rss August 24, 2007 https://www.webcitation.org/5wieGFGiF?url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-070824weathermain-story,1,4660280.story?track=rss February 23, 2011 dead A small tornado was reported in Bolingbrook in a DuPage County Forest Preserve. The storms 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.NBC 5 News https://web.archive.org/web/20070928101525/http://wmaq.weatherplus.com/weathernews/13960081/detail.html September 28, 2007 The storms also caused flooding on streets and major expressways such as the Bishop Ford Freeway. Rainfall totals in Boone and LaSalle Counties topped 1987 records. Governor Rod Blagojevich declared McHenry, Lake, Cook (including Chicago), DuPage, and Kane counties to be disaster areas after the storm. 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)."Rock River at Byron," (PDF) (Does not render in Firefox), Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service, National Weather Service. Retrieved August 25, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20110523234615/http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ahps2/print_image.php?wfo=lot&gage=byri2&type=0 May 23, 2011 Officials in Ogle County recommended that people in low-lying areas along the Rock River, and along Killbuck Creek near Lindenwood, evacuate to higher ground.Osborne, Melinda. "Rain soaked and ready for more," Sauk Valley Newspapers, August 25, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20110716010759/http://www.saukvalley.com/articles/2007/08/25/news/local/63666825616284.txt July 16, 2011 Downstream, in Lee County at Dixon, the river had not reached flood stage as off August 25, though it continued to rise."Rock River at Dixon," Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service, National Weather Service. Retrieved August 25, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20110523234638/http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=lot&gage=dxoi2&view=1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1 May 23, 2011 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 a total of 13.82 inches (351 mm) of rain."0, 2007 is wettest month ever at Rockford," (Press release), National Weather Service. Retrieved August 25, 2007. http://www.crh.noaa.gov/crnews/display_story.php?wfo=lot&storyid=9881&source=0 Archived copy August 25, 2007 live https://web.archive.org/web/20110629100350/http://www.crh.noaa.gov/crnews/display_story.php?wfo=lot&storyid=9881&source=0 June 29, 2011 thumb|right|The South Branch Kishwaukee River crested above 15 feet on August 24 submerging parts of DeKalb, Illinois. Other rivers and streams in the Rock River valley experienced moderate to major 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 also rose above flood stage in Belvidere.Driscoll, Sean F. "South of Rockford, rivers reach flood stage," Rockford Register Star, August 24, 2007. https://archive.today/20130202081910/http://www.rrstar.com/homepage/x663481743 February 2, 2013 After 4.85 inches (123 mm) of rain fell on August 23 and 24 in DeKalb County, at DeKalb, the South Branch Kishwaukee River rose to its highest level since 1983 and its second highest level in recorded history. 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.Schott, Kate. "DeKalb County begins cleaning up https://web.archive.org/web/20120616035058/http://www.daily-chronicle.com/articles/2007/08/25/news/news02.txt 2012-06-16 ," The Daily Chronicle (DeKalb, Illinois), August 25, 2007. Retrieved August 25, 2007. DeKalb County received state disaster area designation from Blagojevich on August 26."Gov. Declares DeKalb County Disaster Area; Red Cross Opens New ShelterJanuary 2017 InternetArchiveBot yes , WBBM 780, August 26, 2007, Chicago. Retrieved September 18, 2007. 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."Northern Illinois braces for more rain, flooding ," Associated Press, via NBC News, August 25, 2007. Retrieved August 25, 2007. thumb|left|The Kishwaukee River near the Northern Illinois University Art Building, August 24, 2007, DeKalb. 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.Tabular data," (Fox River at Dayton), Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service, National Weather Service. Retrieved August 25, 2007. http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ahps2/tabular.php?wfo=lot&gage=dayi2 This page has moved 2007-08-25 live https://web.archive.org/web/20110523234701/http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ahps2/tabular.php?wfo=lot&gage=dayi2 May 23, 2011 In Plano, Illinois the Fox rose up around the historic Farnsworth House, a modern architecture masterpiece designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Preservationists used a boat to save the home and its furnishings, which previously had been devastated by high water in 1996. With the boat, preservationists were able to enter the house and move vulnerable furnishings to higher locations within the home. Water rose to within a foot of the Farnsworth House's raised platform, covering the terrace in front of the home, but the river crested before any damage occurred.Kamin, Blair. "This time, Farnsworth House dodges flood," Chicago Tribune, August 30, 2007. Retrieved October 4, 2007. https://archive.today/20100306025039/http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-0830archnotesaug30,1,5607620.story?ctrack=1&cset=true March 6, 2010 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.Szuda, Stephanie. "Fox River exceeds flood stage by five feet https://web.archive.org/web/20080619083153/http://mywebtimes.com/ottnews/archives/ottawa/display.php?id=325021 June 19, 2008 ," The Times (Ottawa, Illinois), August 25, 2007. Retrieved August 25, 2007. Governor Blagojevich estimated total flood damages could cost nine Illinois counties and the state more than $22.8 million, and the state requested federal assistance.News-Sun Staff. "Disaster declaration sought for Lake County https://web.archive.org/web/20071011112257/http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/558461,5_1_WA15_DISASTER_S1.article October 11, 2007 ," Lake County News-Sun (Lake County, Illinois), September 15, 2007. Retrieved October 4, 2007. On September 25, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal disaster aid was available for the state of Illinois to assist with recovery from the August storms.CBS 2 Chicago. "https://archive.today/20070824022641/http://cbs2chicago.com/local/local_story_268232708.html FEMA Offers Aid For Illinois Storm Victims," CBS2Chicago.com. Retrieved September 25, 2007. The disaster aid was made available when President George W. Bush declared DeKalb, Grundy, Kane, LaSalle, Lake, and Will Counties, in northern Illinois, "major disaster" areas."President Declares Major Disaster for Illinois https://web.archive.org/web/20100606203325/http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=41069 June 6, 2010 ," (Press release), September 25, 2007, Federal Emergency Management Agency. Retrieved October 4, 2007. The federal funding made individual assistance available to flood victims in Lake, Will and Grundy Counties, and individual and public assistance available to those in DeKalb, Kane and LaSalle Counties.Illinois map https://web.archive.org/web/20071024230047/http://www.gismaps.fema.gov/2007graphics/dr1729/dec_1729.pdf October 24, 2007 ," (PDF), Illinois Severe Storms and Flooding – Declared Disaster: September 25, 2007, Federal Emergency Management Agency. Retrieved October 4, 2007. 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. Storms' effects weigh on Midwest Associated Press August 25, 2007 http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/08/25/severe.weather.ap/index.html August 25, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070828154558/http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/08/25/severe.weather.ap/index.html August 28, 2007 Also in northwest Indiana, a section of Interstate 80/94 (Borman Expressway) was closed on August 24 due to flooding on the roadway.Bunkley, Nick. "Difficult cleanup lies ahead for soaked Midwest," The New York Times, August 25, 2007. Retrieved August 25, 2007. It was reopened on August 27. Iowa The Des Moines River near Fort Dodge crested at 4 feet (1.2 m) above flood stage, necessitating the evacuation of three subdivisions. 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.Jacobs Jennifer Petroski William Flood misery extends south The Des Moines Register August 24, 2007 http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070825/NEWS/708250343/-1/SPORTS06 August 25, 2007 June 2017 InternetArchiveBot yes This was caused by rainfall of over 12 inches (304.8 mm) that fell in southeast Iowa during the night of August 23–24.Flooding Rains Again Hit Iowa National Weather Service – Des Moines August 25, 2007 http://www.crh.noaa.gov/crnews/display_story.php?wfo=dmx&storyid=9857&source=0 August 25, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20110629100628/http://www.crh.noaa.gov/crnews/display_story.php?wfo=dmx&storyid=9857&source=0 June 29, 2011 live August 24 damage estimates in nearby Boone County, Iowa reached $150,000 in road damage and an additional $1 million damage to a scenic railroad.Cauchon, Dennis and Gomez, Alan. "Soggy Midwest in 'cleanup mode'," USA Today, August 24, 2007. Retrieved October 9, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20080621044839/http://www.usatoday.com/weather/storms/2007-08-23-midwestern-flooding_N.htm June 21, 2008 Minnesota thumb|left|Flash flood in Rochester 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). 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. Heavy rains fall on southern Minnesota: August 18 – August 20 Minnesota Climatology Office August 22, 2007 http://climate.umn.edu/doc/journal/flash_floods/ff070820.htm August 24, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20110526085858/http://climate.umn.edu/doc/journal/flash_floods/ff070820.htm May 26, 2011 dead mdy-all Southeast 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. Ojakangas Richard W. Matsch Charles L. Minnesota's Geology Minneapolis University of Minnesota Press 1982 978-0-8166-0953-6 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 absorption rate of 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) in six hours, flash floods rapidly overflowed the water courses and spread across the valley floors. Deep Valleys Make SE Minn. Vulnerable wcco.com August 20, 2007 http://wcco.com/topstories/local_story_232120238.html August 29, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070929100200/http://wcco.com/topstories/local_story_232120238.html September 29, 2007 Seroka Scott Southeastern Minnesota, long prone to flash floods kare11.com August 21, 2007 http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=26258 https://archive.today/20120908003019/http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=26258 dead September 8, 2012 August 29, 2007 The towns of Stockton, Houston, Elba, Minnesota City, and portions of Winona, on the Mississippi River, were evacuated. Citizens were moved to Saint Mary's University in Winona, Lewiston, and Caledonia, Minnesota. Massive bluffs gave way in Brownsville and several homes were completely washed away. 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.Floods In Minnesota, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Kill 13 https://web.archive.org/web/20070820220812/http://cbs3.com/national/topstories_story_232100614.html August 20, 2007 CBS 3 Philadelphia. thumb|left|Damaged Whitewater State Park bridge 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.Flooding shuts down state's No. 2 campground, ruins hatcheries Rochester Post-Bulletin August 25, 2007 http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?a=304678&z=2 August 25, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20080619022022/http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?a=304678&z=2 June 19, 2008 dead The park was closed to the public on August 20, 2007, for an indefinite period of time.Flooding MN DNR 2007 http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/news/flooding.html August 24, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070825130238/http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/news/flooding.html August 25, 2007 E. coli bacteria were found in the Rushford's water supply, and residents were urged not to use it until the city's water system could be flushed.Shah Allie Walsh, Paul Wolfe, Warren Residents warned of E.coli found in Rushford city water Minneapolis Star Tribune August 24, 2007 http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1382102.html August 26, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071010051622/http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1382102.html October 10, 2007 dead thumb|DM&E railroad bridge in Winona County 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.Shelman Jeff Amtrak returns to rails, skipping 2 stops Minneapolis Star Tribune August 25, 2007 http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1382855.html August 25, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20090107205951/http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1382855.html January 7, 2009 dead The passenger rail line resumed service on August 27. State Senator Sharon Erickson Ropes stated after initial flooding, "This is the worst disaster that's hit southeast Minnesota in a lifetime."Flooding causes millions in damage in southwestern Wisconsin Green Bay Press Gazette. https://www.webcitation.org/5wixf0Vlv?url=http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20070820%2FGPG0101%2F70820012 February 24, 2011 Four thousand two hundred homes were damaged or destroyed in the state, and seven deaths were reported. It is estimated that there has been $67 million in damage.State to quickly release $35 million in flood relief for SE Minn. Minnesota Public Radio September 14, 2007 http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/09/14/floodaid/ March 19, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20120930085417/http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/09/14/floodaid/ September 30, 2012 live Dodge, Fillmore, Houston, Olmsted, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona counties were declared federal disaster areas. Ohio thumb|left|A U.S. Coast Guard boat crew searches for flood victims in need of help in Ottawa, Ohio. The Blanchard River was 7.5 feet (2 m) above flood level in Findlay, the highest level since 1913. A 92-year-old man drowned trying to get to safety after his car became trapped in floodwater near Findlay, where water poured into the downtown area from the Blanchard and its tributary creeks. One hundred thirty inmates were moved from a Hancock County jail. Bucyrus received 9 inches (229 mm) of rain, and several hundred people were evacuated from their homes in Crawford County.Midwest Battles Floods, Heat National Public radio August 23, 2007 https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=13885962&ampsourceCode=RSS August 23, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20140103145517/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=13885962&ampsourceCode=RSS January 3, 2014 live Heavy rain, flooding plagues Midwest Yahoo! News/Associated Press August 24, 2007 https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070824/ap_on_re_us/flooding August 24, 2007 September 2010 H3llBot The river also reached 8.7 feet (3 m) above flood level in Ottawa, Ohio.Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service NOAA August 26, 2007 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 August 26, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20110523234721/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 May 23, 2011 live Ottawa's Main Street (U.S Route 224) was fully flooded, as were homes and churches for blocks around. Between Findlay and Ottawa, Route 224 was washed out in several spots. The fire department in Ottawa rescued dozens of people from their deluged homes by boat. Northwest Ohio's most serious flooding was along the Blanchard, though other rivers, including the Auglaize, Tiffin, Portage, and Sandusky, all experienced some level of flooding.Feehan, Jennifer, et al. "Flood submerges towns; dozens rescued from Findlay, Ottawa homes https://web.archive.org/web/20080619160552/http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070823/NEWS12/70823001 June 19, 2008 ," Toledo Blade (Toledo, Ohio), August 23, 2007. Retrieved October 9, 2007. The cities of Bellevue and Shelby also had severe flooding that forced residents from their homes. Allen, Crawford, Hancock, Hardin, Putnam, Richland, Seneca, and Wyandot counties were declared federal disaster areas. Wisconsin right|thumb|A road is submerged by the Kickapoo River in southwest 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 rains of ten to twelve inches fell. (254–305 mm).Northlands News Center.Up to Six Deaths Attributed to Flooding in Southeastern Minnesota January 2017 medicmedic 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.Scott Bauer August 19, 2007 4 die in Minnesota flooding Associated Press Democratic Underground http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2959796 February 13, 2013 Approximately $48 million in damage was reported in 12 Wisconsin counties. La Crosse fundraiser nets more than $300,000 for flood victims Associated Press August 25, 2007 http://wkbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=6983270&nav=kojj August 25, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070927233551/http://wkbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=6983270&nav=kojj September 27, 2007 dead mdy-all Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Kenosha, La Crosse, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, and Vernon counties were declared federal disaster areas. 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 on 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.Marley Patrick Forster, Stacy 3 killed as lightning hits near Madison bus stop Milwaukee Journal Sentinel August 22, 2007 http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=651246 August 24, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20080619134243/http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=651246 June 19, 2008 dead Before 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.Wisconsin declares drought emergency, seeks federal aid TwinCities.com August 14, 2007 http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_6619726 August 25, 2007 https://archive.today/20130205115037/http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_6619726 February 5, 2013 live See also 2007 Midwest flooding Floods in the United States: 2001-present List of Minnesota weather records Tropical Storm Erin References 30em External links Amateur video of a flash flood in a residential area – Minneapolis Star Tribune Flooding at the Farnsworth House, Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois, includes photo slide show. Rainfall totals & prediction – Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service Category:2000s floods in the United States Category:2007 floods Category:2007 natural disasters in the United States 2007 Midwest flooding Category:Natural disasters in Indiana Category:Natural disasters in Iowa Category:Natural disasters in Minnesota Category:Floods in Ohio Category:Natural disasters in Wisconsin