There are more than 100 roads closed in Vernon County, Monday morning, due to flooding caused by a weekend of rain.
Both Ontario and Viroqua received more than nine inches of rain from Saturday through Sunday. Road closures occurred all over the county, there were 103 overall. No injuries had been reported due to the flooding.
Linda Nederlo, the public information officer at the Vernon County Emergency Operations Center, said that damaged caused by this flooding will likely exceed the $60 million in damage that occurred in Vernon County during the floods of August 2007.
“Largely a whole different area has been hit,” Nederlo said. “Ontario, Hillsboro, La Farge, Viola n they weren’t the hardest hit in August of 2007, but they’re the hardest hit now.
“This flood is much more severe, extensive than the flood in 2007,” Nederlo continued. “The flood property damage is extensive.”
Viola was still surrounded by water as of 9 a.m. on Monday morning. The Kickapoo River wasn’t expected to crest at Readstown until noon on Monday.
Travel was not advised anywhere in the county unless for an emergency. All of the dam evacuations, and other evacuations reported in the county, were still in effect.
Shelters were set up at the Ontario Baptist Church, Ontario Library, La Farge High School, La Farge Methodist Church, Viola Methodist Church and Viroqua High School.
Nederlo said that farmers with crop and property damage should call the Farm Service Agency in Vernon County at 608-637-2183.
The Vernon County EOC remained open all night long Sunday and through the early morning hours, Monday.
State Rep. Lee Nerison (R-Westby) and State Sen. Dan Kapanke (R-La Crosse) were both at the Vernon County EOC Monday morning helping local officials contact state offices that could provide aid. The National Guard has already helped rescue trailer park residents in Ontario who were surrounded by flood water on Sunday. Gov. Doyle has declared Vernon County and several other counties in Wisconsin disaster areas due to the flooding.
The EOC had another countywide update planned for Monday afternoon at 3 p.m.

