2007 Midwest flooding

File:7dayrain.pngFile:wxpix aug1907.png]] 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.{{cite web|title=Historic Rainfall and Flooding Event of August 18–20, 2007 |publisher=NWS – La Crosse |date=August 22, 2007 |url=http://www.crh.noaa.gov/arx/?n=aug1907 |accessdate=August 24, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523203709/http://www.crh.noaa.gov/arx/?n=aug1907 |archive-date=May 23, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy }} 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 {{cite news|last=Ong |first=Bao |newspaper=St. Paul Pioneer Press |title=Flooding leaves 6 dead, 1 missing |date=August 19, 2007 |url=http://www.twincities.com/minnesota/ci_6666234?source=rv&nclick_check=1 |accessdate=August 24, 2007 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205084151/http://www.twincities.com/minnesota/ci_6666234?source=rv&nclick_check=1 |archive-date=February 5, 2013 |url-status=live }}

The stationary front and associated energy then extended eastward through Illinois, Indiana and Ohio on August 19 and August 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, {{convert|5.11|ft|m|2}} above flood stage.{{cite news|title=Rock River to reach crest Tuesday |publisher=WQAD |date=August 28, 2007 |url=http://www.wqad.com/Global/story.asp?S=6991434&nav=menu132_3_1 |accessdate=August 30, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618231309/http://www.wqad.com/Global/story.asp?S=6991434&nav=menu132_3_1 |archive-date=June 18, 2008 |url-status=live }} Moderate flooding was also reported on the Mississippi River from the Quad Cities to St. Louis, Missouri.

File:Oregon, Illinois Oregon Dam 01.JPG 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.

File:Byron, Illinois Park Flooded 03.JPG

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.{{cite news |title=4 counties are disaster areas |work=Chicago Tribune |date=August 24, 2007 |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-070824weathermain-story,1,4660280.story?track=rss |accessdate=August 24, 2007 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5wieGFGiF?url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-070824weathermain-story,1,4660280.story?track=rss |archive-date=February 23, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} 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.

[http://wmaq.weatherplus.com/weathernews/13960081/detail.html NBC 5 News] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928101525/http://wmaq.weatherplus.com/weathernews/13960081/detail.html |date=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)."[http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ahps2/print_image.php?wfo=lot&gage=byri2&type=0 Rock River at Byron]," (PDF) (Does not render in Firefox), Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service, National Weather Service. Retrieved August 25, 2007. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523234615/http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ahps2/print_image.php?wfo=lot&gage=byri2&type=0 |date=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. "[http://www.saukvalley.com/articles/2007/08/25/news/local/63666825616284.txt Rain soaked and ready for more]," Sauk Valley Newspapers, August 25, 2007. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716010759/http://www.saukvalley.com/articles/2007/08/25/news/local/63666825616284.txt |date=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."[http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=lot&gage=dxoi2&view=1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1 Rock River at Dixon]," Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service, National Weather Service. Retrieved August 25, 2007. {{webarchive |url=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 |date=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."[http://www.crh.noaa.gov/crnews/display_story.php?wfo=lot&storyid=9881&source=August 0, 2007 is wettest month ever at Rockford]," (Press release), National Weather Service. Retrieved August 25, 2007. {{cite web|url=http://www.crh.noaa.gov/crnews/display_story.php?wfo=lot&storyid=9881&source=0 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2007-08-25 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629100350/http://www.crh.noaa.gov/crnews/display_story.php?wfo=lot&storyid=9881&source=0 |archive-date=June 29, 2011 }}

File:DeKalb Il Kishwaukee River Flood21.JPG 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. "[http://www.rrstar.com/homepage/x663481743 South of Rockford, rivers reach flood stage]," Rockford Register Star, August 24, 2007. {{webarchive |url=https://archive.today/20130202081910/http://www.rrstar.com/homepage/x663481743 |date=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. "[http://www.daily-chronicle.com/articles/2007/08/25/news/news02.txt DeKalb County begins cleaning up] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616035058/http://www.daily-chronicle.com/articles/2007/08/25/news/news02.txt |date=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."[http://www.wbbm780.com/pages/861831.php?contentType=4&contentId=843165 Gov. Declares DeKalb County Disaster Area; Red Cross Opens New Shelter]{{dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=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."[https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna20436737 Northern Illinois braces for more rain, flooding] ," Associated Press, via NBC News, August 25, 2007. Retrieved August 25, 2007.

File:DeKalb Il Kishwaukee River FloodP1.JPG

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.[http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ahps2/tabular.php?wfo=lot&gage=dayi2 Tabular data]," ([http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=lot&gage=dayi2&view=1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1 Fox River at Dayton]), Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service, National Weather Service. Retrieved August 25, 2007. {{cite web|url=http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ahps2/tabular.php?wfo=lot&gage=dayi2 |title=This page has moved |accessdate=2007-08-25 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523234701/http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ahps2/tabular.php?wfo=lot&gage=dayi2 |archive-date=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. "[http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-0830archnotesaug30,1,5607620.story?ctrack=1&cset=true This time, Farnsworth House dodges flood]," Chicago Tribune, August 30, 2007. Retrieved October 4, 2007. {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20100306025039/http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-0830archnotesaug30,1,5607620.story?ctrack=1&cset=true |date=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. "[http://mywebtimes.com/ottnews/archives/ottawa/display.php?id=325021 Fox River exceeds flood stage by five feet] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080619083153/http://mywebtimes.com/ottnews/archives/ottawa/display.php?id=325021 |date=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. "[http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/558461,5_1_WA15_DISASTER_S1.article Disaster declaration sought for Lake County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011112257/http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/558461,5_1_WA15_DISASTER_S1.article |date=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."[http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=41069 President Declares Major Disaster for Illinois] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100606203325/http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=41069 |date=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.[http://www.gismaps.fema.gov/2007graphics/dr1729/dec_1729.pdf Illinois map] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024230047/http://www.gismaps.fema.gov/2007graphics/dr1729/dec_1729.pdf |date=October 24, 2007 }}," (PDF), Illinois Severe Storms and Flooding – Declared Disaster: September 25, 2007, Federal Emergency Management Agency. Retrieved October 4, 2007.

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.{{cite news | title = Storms' effects weigh on Midwest | agency = Associated Press | date = August 25, 2007 | url = http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/08/25/severe.weather.ap/index.html | accessdate =August 25, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070828154558/http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/08/25/severe.weather.ap/index.html |archive-date = 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. "[https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/25/us/25storms.html?ref=us Difficult cleanup lies ahead for soaked Midwest]," The New York Times, August 25, 2007. Retrieved August 25, 2007. It was reopened on August 27.

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.{{cite news|last=Jacobs |first=Jennifer |author2=Petroski William |title=Flood misery extends south |newspaper=The Des Moines Register |date=August 24, 2007 |url=http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070825/NEWS/708250343/-1/SPORTS06 |accessdate=August 25, 2007 }}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=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.{{cite web

|title=Flooding Rains Again Hit Iowa

|publisher=National Weather Service – Des Moines

|date=August 25, 2007

|url=http://www.crh.noaa.gov/crnews/display_story.php?wfo=dmx&storyid=9857&source=0

|accessdate=August 25, 2007

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629100628/http://www.crh.noaa.gov/crnews/display_story.php?wfo=dmx&storyid=9857&source=0

|archive-date=June 29, 2011

|url-status=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. "[https://www.usatoday.com/weather/storms/2007-08-23-midwestern-flooding_N.htm Soggy Midwest in 'cleanup mode']," USA Today, August 24, 2007. Retrieved October 9, 2007. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080621044839/http://www.usatoday.com/weather/storms/2007-08-23-midwestern-flooding_N.htm |date=June 21, 2008 }}

File:Rochesterflood.jpg]]

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.{{cite web

|title = Heavy rains fall on southern Minnesota: August 18 – August 20

|publisher = Minnesota Climatology Office

|date = August 22, 2007

|url = http://climate.umn.edu/doc/journal/flash_floods/ff070820.htm

|accessdate = August 24, 2007

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110526085858/http://climate.umn.edu/doc/journal/flash_floods/ff070820.htm

|archive-date = May 26, 2011

|url-status=dead

|df = 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.{{Cite book | last1 = Ojakangas | first1 = Richard W. | last2 = Matsch | first2 = Charles L.| title = Minnesota's Geology | place= Minneapolis | publisher = University of Minnesota Press | year = 1982 | isbn = 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.{{cite web | title = Deep Valleys Make SE Minn. Vulnerable | publisher = wcco.com | date = August 20, 2007 | url = http://wcco.com/topstories/local_story_232120238.html | accessdate =August 29, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070929100200/http://wcco.com/topstories/local_story_232120238.html |archive-date = September 29, 2007}}{{cite web | last = Seroka | first = Scott | title = Southeastern Minnesota, long prone to flash floods | publisher = kare11.com | date = August 21, 2007 | url = http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=26258 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120908003019/http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=26258 | url-status=dead | archive-date = September 8, 2012 | accessdate = 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.[http://cbs3.com/national/topstories_story_232100614.html Floods In Minnesota, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Kill 13] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070820220812/http://cbs3.com/national/topstories_story_232100614.html |date=August 20, 2007 }} CBS 3 Philadelphia.

File:WhitewaterRiverMNbridge2007-09-02.JPG

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.{{cite web|title=Flooding shuts down state's No. 2 campground, ruins hatcheries |publisher=Rochester Post-Bulletin |date=August 25, 2007 |url=http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?a=304678&z=2 |accessdate=August 25, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080619022022/http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?a=304678&z=2 |archive-date=June 19, 2008 |url-status=dead }} The park was closed to the public on August 20, 2007, for an indefinite period of time.{{cite web| title =Flooding| publisher =MN DNR| year =2007| url =http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/news/flooding.html| accessdate =August 24, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070825130238/http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/news/flooding.html |archive-date = 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.{{cite news|last=Shah |first=Allie |author2=Walsh, Paul |author3=Wolfe, Warren |title=Residents warned of E.coli found in Rushford city water |newspaper=Minneapolis Star Tribune |date=August 24, 2007 |url=http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1382102.html |accessdate=August 26, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010051622/http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1382102.html |archive-date=October 10, 2007 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}

File:DMErailbridgeStocktonMN2007-09-02.JPG

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.{{cite news|last=Shelman |first=Jeff |title=Amtrak returns to rails, skipping 2 stops |newspaper=Minneapolis Star Tribune |date=August 25, 2007 |url=http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1382855.html |accessdate=August 25, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107205951/http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1382855.html |archive-date=January 7, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }} 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."[http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070820/GPG0101/70820012 Flooding causes millions in damage in southwestern Wisconsin] Green Bay Press Gazette. {{webarchive|url=https://www.webcitation.org/5wixf0Vlv?url=http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20070820%2FGPG0101%2F70820012 |date=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.{{cite news|title=State to quickly release $35 million in flood relief for SE Minn. |publisher=Minnesota Public Radio |date=September 14, 2007 |url=http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/09/14/floodaid/ |accessdate=March 19, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930085417/http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/09/14/floodaid/ |archive-date=September 30, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy }} Dodge, Fillmore, Houston, Olmsted, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona counties were declared federal disaster areas.

File:Ottawa OH 2007 Blanchard River Flood Coast Guard.jpg 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.{{cite web|title=Midwest Battles Floods, Heat |publisher=National Public radio |date=August 23, 2007 |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=13885962&sourceCode=RSS |accessdate=August 23, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103145517/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=13885962&sourceCode=RSS |archive-date=January 3, 2014 |url-status=live }}{{cite web| title =Heavy rain, flooding plagues Midwest | publisher =Yahoo! News/Associated Press| date =August 24, 2007| url =https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070824/ap_on_re_us/flooding| accessdate =August 24, 2007}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}} The river also reached 8.7 feet (3 m) above flood level in Ottawa, Ohio.{{cite web |title=Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service |publisher=NOAA |date=August 26, 2007 |url=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 |accessdate=August 26, 2007 |archive-url=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 |archive-date=May 23, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} 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. "[http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070823/NEWS12/70823001 Flood submerges towns; dozens rescued from Findlay, Ottawa homes] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080619160552/http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070823/NEWS12/70823001 |date=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.

File:Kickapoo1.jpg 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.[http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/Story.aspx?type=ln&NStoryID=6824 Up to Six Deaths Attributed to Flooding in Southeastern Minnesota] {{dead link|date=January 2017|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} 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.{{Citation

|author=Scott Bauer |date=August 19, 2007 |title=4 die in Minnesota flooding |series=Associated Press |publisher=Democratic Underground |url=http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2959796 |accessdate=February 13, 2013 }} Approximately $48 million in damage was reported in 12 Wisconsin counties.{{cite news | title = La Crosse fundraiser nets more than $300,000 for flood victims | agency = Associated Press | date = August 25, 2007 | url = http://wkbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=6983270&nav=kojj | accessdate = August 25, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927233551/http://wkbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=6983270&nav=kojj | archive-date = September 27, 2007 | url-status=dead | df = 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.{{cite news|last=Marley |first=Patrick |author2=Forster, Stacy |title=3 killed as lightning hits near Madison bus stop |newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |date=August 22, 2007 |url=http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=651246 |accessdate=August 24, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080619134243/http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=651246 |archive-date=June 19, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}

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.{{cite web|title=Wisconsin declares drought emergency, seeks federal aid |publisher=TwinCities.com |date=August 14, 2007 |url=http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_6619726 |accessdate=August 25, 2007 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205115037/http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_6619726 |archive-date=February 5, 2013 |url-status=live |df=mdy }}

{{Commons category|2007 Midwest flooding}}

• Floods in the United States: 2001-present
• List of Minnesota weather records
• Tropical Storm Erin

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070827233501/http://www.startribune.com/10103/rich_media/1373267.html Amateur video of a flash flood in a residential area] – Minneapolis Star Tribune
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20071009233058/http://landmarks.org/news_road/flood.htm Flooding at the Farnsworth House], Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois, includes photo slide show.
• [http://water.weather.gov/ Rainfall totals & prediction] – Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service

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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:Natural disasters in Ohio

Category:Natural disasters in Wisconsin