As heavy rains hit the region on Monday evening, many were impacted by the flood http://uwpd.wisc.edu/news/campus-monitoring-water-levels-encourages-the-public-to-be-smart-about-standing-water-and-flooding/waters that followed. The UW-Madison campus was, at the same time, monitoring nearby water levels and checking campus buildings for problems. For the most part, our campus was not heavily impacted. We continue to monitor Lake Mendota, however, as lake levels are getting close to the Lakeshore path and adjacent roadways.
As a precaution, UWPD has closed the Lakeshore path near Willow Creek — a detour has been established so walkers, runners, and bikers may continue to use the path. Click here to view a map of the closing and detour. In the days ahead, UWPD and other campus units will continue to monitor lake levels and forecasts to ensure all of our students, staff, faculty, and guests remain safe.
Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States — they can be costly and also deadly. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Never drive or walk through flooded streets.
- It only takes six inches of moving water to sweep a person off their feet and 12 inches to move a car.
- If a street or pathway is flooded, Turn Around, Don’t Drown!
- If you notice standing water on campus that could potentially be a hazard, call UWPD at (608) 264-2677.
- Talk
with your family and make an emergency plan. No matter the disaster, it’s always a good idea to have emergency supplies ready at home, at work, and in the car.
You can learn more about the dangers of flooding and find information about flood insurance at Ready.gov/floods and Floodsmart.gov.