Historic Rainfall and Flooding of August 18-20, 2007

Posted: August 20, 2021 at 6:37 am

We’ll never forget the shocking amount rain the tri-states received 14 years ago.  The National Weather Service La Crosse looks back at the historic rain and flooding….

Rainfall and flooding of historic proportions struck parts of the Upper Mississippi River Valley on Saturday night, August 18th, continuing through Sunday, August 19th. Rainfall in excess of 15 inches fell in some areas, with the main swath of heaviest rain centered along a line from Claremont and Rochester, Minnesota to La Crosse, Viroqua and Muscoda, Wisconsin.  A 24-hour rainfall record was set for the state of Minnesota near Hokah, MN (Houston Co.) with 15.10 inches, while unofficial readings may have exceeded 17″. 

There were numerous mud slides, roads washed out, and flash flooding that killed 7 people. The community of Rushford, MN was flooded by Rush Creek and infrastructure remained damaged for months.  Damage costs likely exceeded $200 Million.

Some rainfall totals from August 2007:

Hokah, MN (23.86″)
Viroqua, WI (21.74″)
Richland Center, WI (20.81″)
Gays Mills, WI (20.25″)
Spring Grove, MN (19.87″)
Genoa, WI (19.80″)
Waukon, IA (19.11″)
Caledonia, MN (18.96″)
Westby, WI (18.94″)
Winona, MN (18.84″)
La Farge, WI (18.38″)
Lanesboro, MN (17.40″)
Dorchester, IA (17.11″)
La Crosse NWS (17.00″)
Ontario, WI (16.99)

Credit:  NWS La Crosse & NWS La Crosse via Facebook