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Preparing for the worst
Shelters, crews ready to help flood victims
By Hillary Gavan
Daily News staff writer
Emergency response agencies are preparing shelters if residents need to be evacuated.
Based on forecasts, this event will reach at least the level of a 100-year flood event and residents who never have been affected by river flooding before are likely to be affected during this event, according to Rock County Sheriff's Department Commander Troy Knudson.
Citizens near the Rock River should also be aware of predictions made by the National Weather Service stating that the river is expected rise at least another two feet beyond its current levels in the next five days.
The Rock River at Afton north of Beloit measured at 12.42 feet at 6:15 p.m. Friday. Flood stage at that part of the river is 9 feet. It is projected to crest at 14.64 feet by Tuesday. The record level for that part of the river is 13.1 feet. At Rockton on the Illinois side of the border, the Rock River level was 13.89 feet at 6:15 p.m. Friday. It is expected to crest at 16.2 feet Tuesday.
“If people need to be making preparations, it's better to do it while the weather is still good,” Knudson said.
On Friday Rock County Sheriff's Department deputies began recommending that residents in low-lying areas along the Rock River evacuate. Knudson stressed that the Department wasn't forcing anyone to evacuate, but was distributing the necessary information to residents. Deputies informed residents of local shelter opportunities and the availability of sandbags.
Residents were also asked to give out their contact information. Knudson said it's critical that people who decide to evacuate let the Department know where they are.
“If problems arise with their properties, we can pass on the right information to them,” Knudson said.
Knudson said people should bring their pets, medication and identification with them in the event of evacuation.
More information regarding predictions is available on the National Weather Service's Web site at http://weather.gov/madison and click on rivers and lakes.
Beloit Police Captain Bill Tyler said representatives from Emergency Management, Fire, Police, and Public Works, Water Resources Departments, City of Beloit, the School District of Beloit, Alliant Energy and the Downtown Business Association are all gathering at the Emergency Operations Center, or the Beloit Fire Department, to monitor the river and to prepare for the possible evacuation of residents.
Tyler said there are several shelters which will be utilized in the event of an evacuation, but will not give out the locations until the shelters are activated.
“We do have contingency plan if residents are displaced,” Tyler said.
Tyler said the area on Third Street near the dam is being monitored, but said there are few residences in that area.
The Town of Beloit was putting together a sandbagging operation Friday. Those who wish to volunteer can contact the Voluntary Action Center (VAC) at (608)365-1278. VAC is requesting volunteers call for assignments before self-assigning their duties.
VAC Skills Bank Coordinator David Zimdars advises volunteers to dress appropriately with heavy duty footwear and gloves.
Town of Beloit Police Chief Dennis Ahrens said the Town was networking with the Red Cross and formulating a town to open its emergency action operations center at the Town Hall if residents are evacuated.
“We are just being prepared,” Ahrens said. “We are being proactive for the citizens until waiting to the last minute.”
Beloit Red Cross Chapter Resources Manager Catrina Schoen said the Red Cross is prepared, with comfort kits, water and food. In Janesville a shelter is stocked and ready at St. John's Lutheran Church 302 N. Parker Dr. and volunteers have been dispatched.
The following river levels remained high as of 2 p.m. Friday: Rock River in Newville, 12.5 feet with flood stage at 10 feet; Indianford at 16.08 feet with flood stage at 15 feet; Afton at 12.14 feet with flood stage at 9 feet.
By Hillary Gavan
Daily News staff writer
Emergency response agencies are preparing shelters if residents need to be evacuated.
Based on forecasts, this event will reach at least the level of a 100-year flood event and residents who never have been affected by river flooding before are likely to be affected during this event, according to Rock County Sheriff's Department Commander Troy Knudson.
Citizens near the Rock River should also be aware of predictions made by the National Weather Service stating that the river is expected rise at least another two feet beyond its current levels in the next five days.
The Rock River at Afton north of Beloit measured at 12.42 feet at 6:15 p.m. Friday. Flood stage at that part of the river is 9 feet. It is projected to crest at 14.64 feet by Tuesday. The record level for that part of the river is 13.1 feet. At Rockton on the Illinois side of the border, the Rock River level was 13.89 feet at 6:15 p.m. Friday. It is expected to crest at 16.2 feet Tuesday.
“If people need to be making preparations, it's better to do it while the weather is still good,” Knudson said.
On Friday Rock County Sheriff's Department deputies began recommending that residents in low-lying areas along the Rock River evacuate. Knudson stressed that the Department wasn't forcing anyone to evacuate, but was distributing the necessary information to residents. Deputies informed residents of local shelter opportunities and the availability of sandbags.
Residents were also asked to give out their contact information. Knudson said it's critical that people who decide to evacuate let the Department know where they are.
“If problems arise with their properties, we can pass on the right information to them,” Knudson said.
Knudson said people should bring their pets, medication and identification with them in the event of evacuation.
More information regarding predictions is available on the National Weather Service's Web site at http://weather.gov/madison and click on rivers and lakes.
Beloit Police Captain Bill Tyler said representatives from Emergency Management, Fire, Police, and Public Works, Water Resources Departments, City of Beloit, the School District of Beloit, Alliant Energy and the Downtown Business Association are all gathering at the Emergency Operations Center, or the Beloit Fire Department, to monitor the river and to prepare for the possible evacuation of residents.
Tyler said there are several shelters which will be utilized in the event of an evacuation, but will not give out the locations until the shelters are activated.
“We do have contingency plan if residents are displaced,” Tyler said.
Tyler said the area on Third Street near the dam is being monitored, but said there are few residences in that area.
The Town of Beloit was putting together a sandbagging operation Friday. Those who wish to volunteer can contact the Voluntary Action Center (VAC) at (608)365-1278. VAC is requesting volunteers call for assignments before self-assigning their duties.
VAC Skills Bank Coordinator David Zimdars advises volunteers to dress appropriately with heavy duty footwear and gloves.
Town of Beloit Police Chief Dennis Ahrens said the Town was networking with the Red Cross and formulating a town to open its emergency action operations center at the Town Hall if residents are evacuated.
“We are just being prepared,” Ahrens said. “We are being proactive for the citizens until waiting to the last minute.”
Beloit Red Cross Chapter Resources Manager Catrina Schoen said the Red Cross is prepared, with comfort kits, water and food. In Janesville a shelter is stocked and ready at St. John's Lutheran Church 302 N. Parker Dr. and volunteers have been dispatched.
The following river levels remained high as of 2 p.m. Friday: Rock River in Newville, 12.5 feet with flood stage at 10 feet; Indianford at 16.08 feet with flood stage at 15 feet; Afton at 12.14 feet with flood stage at 9 feet.
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| Businesses brace for flooding |
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