Update: Historic rains threaten stability of Caledonia levee near Portage
JOHN GITTINGS
Updated
Chuck Vesely, a lifelong Portage resident who has always lived near the Wisconsin River, is concerned that high river levels from April rains could flood area streets and homes.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources officials are warning that historic flooding is straining the Caledonia Levee might not hold and are telling residents in the Blackhawk subdivision area should evacuate immediately while the road remains passable.
Chuck Vesely, who lives in a home on the north side of the Wisconsin River in Portage, hopes that rising Wisconsin River levels do not flood his home and others, along with streets, in his area of the city.
A city pump drains water from the city's stormwater system into the Wisconsin River on Friday morning.
JOHN GITTINGS, DAILY REGISTER
Portage Combats the Floods
Pumps from the city's stormwater system have been set up throughout the city, particularly near the river.
JOHN GITTINGS, DAILY REGISTER
Portage Combats the Floods
An open sewer gets pumped on Friday morning.
JOHN GITTINGS, DAILY REGISTER
Portage Combats the Floods
A van and pickup truck travel through a large puddle on Cook Street coming into Portage.
JOHN GITTINGS, DAILY REGISTER
Portage Combats the Floods
A sign with a red line indicating the 20.7-foot record water level in Portage on the Wisconsin River is near the Highway 33 bridge on the city's west side.
JOHN GITTINGS, DAILY REGISTER
Portage Combats the Floods
Geese have the rule of the roost at Newport Park in Lake Delton, which is temporarily closed because of high Wisconsin River levels.
JOHN GITTINGS, DAILY REGISTER
Portage Combats the Floods
Three of four canopied tables were submerged at Newport Park on Friday.
JOHN GITTINGS, DAILY REGISTER
Portage Combats the Floods
Floods cover Hugh Canny's property in the town of Dekorra.
Chuck Vesely, who lives in a home on the north side of the Wisconsin River in Portage, hopes that rising Wisconsin River levels do not flood his home and others, along with streets, in his area of the city.
