Flooding is the most common and most costly disaster in Wisconsin. Flooding can happen anywhere, even outside of the floodplain!

The history of flooding in the Pepin County, particularly along the Chippewa River, was first studied by the U.S. Corps of Engineers in the late 1880's . As a result of the study, it was determined that it would be difficult to control flooding based on the topography of the region. To this day, the waterways of Pepin County generally experience flooding to some extent on an annual basis on the Mississippi River, Chippewa River, or our smaller inland rivers/creeks. The flooding can usually be attributed to localized or regional heavy rain events or be part of a larger regional system changes (i.e. spring snowmelts). Flooding typically occurs when a river, stream, lake or other body of water overflows its banks and/or when there is an excessive rainfall that accumulates faster than it can be absorbed into the environment or stormwater infrastructure systems.

The National Weather Service uses the following terms associated with flooding:

Flash Flood: A rapid and extreme flow of high water into a normally dry area, or a rapid level rise in a stream or creek above a predetermined flood level, beginning within six hours of a causative event (e.g. intense rainfall, dam failure, ice jam). Ongoing flooding can intensify to flash flooding in cases where intense rainfall results in a rapid surge of rising flood waters.

Flood: Any high flow, overflow, or inundation by water which causes or threatens damage.

Floodplain: In hydrologic terms, the portion of a river valley that has been inundated by the river during historic floods.

Floodway: In hydrologic terms, 1) A part of the floodplain reserved for emergency diversion of waters during floods. A part of the floodplain which, to facilitate the passage of floodwater, is kept clear of encumbrances. 2) The channel of a river or stream and those parts of the floodplains adjoining the channel, which are reasonably required to carry and discharge the floodwater of any river or stream.

Flood Categories: Terms defined for each forecast point which describe or categorize the severity of flood impacts in the corresponding river/stream reach. Each flood category is bounded by an upper and lower stage. The severity of flooding at a given stage is not necessarily the same at all locations along a river reach due to varying channel/bank characteristics. The flood categories used by the National Weather Service are:

• Minor Flooding: minimal or no property damage, but possibly some public threat.

• Moderate Flooding: some inundation of structures and roads near stream. Some evacuations of people and/or transfer of property to higher elevations.

• Major Flooding: extensive inundation of structures and roads. Significant evacuations of people and/or transfer of property to higher elevations.

• Record Flooding: flooding which equals or exceeds the highest stage or discharge at a given site during the period of record keeping.

The Mississippi River (also known as Lake Pepin) forms the southern border of Pepin County; it is particularly prone to spring flooding due to rapid snow melts and above average precipitation. However, the mighty Mississippi can also be impacted by heavy rain events. 

Pepin County property owners should monitor the Lake City Mississippi River gauge to measure the magnitude and duration of potential floods. The gauge elevation is approximate 661 feet above sea level.  FEMA has established the 100 year flood elevation has been determined to be approximately 681.4 for most areas of Lake Pepin. Minor flood stage has been established at 16 feet, moderate flooding at 18 feet, and major flooding at 20 feet. Local benchmarks have been established with nails in trees, paint on road signs, and other marks to show the flood of record in areas within the floodplain (1965 flood).

• At 16 feet (minor), the Village of Stockholm Park is flooded and Barney's Point is inaccessible due to the inundated access route (private road)
• At 17 feet, the roadways and properties on Deer Island begin to flood, which starts to limit access to the area.
• At 19 feet, the Pepin Marina is underwater

Response agencies (law/ambulance/fire) in Pepin County will not drive into flooded areas - individuals owning property in areas prone to flooding should evacuate before the flood waters rise to unsafe levels.

If you would like to know more information about the flood elevations on a specific property along the Mississippi River, please reach out to the Pepin County Land Information Officer (Maria Nelson)

The Chippewa River flows through Pepin County, splitting the county into an eastern and western side as it flows into the Mississippi River. Flood impacts are possible on both sides of the Chippewa River with flooding impacts expected to affect a number of homes and businesses within Pepin County.

The Chippewa River Flood Gauge at Durand is located elevation of 692.7 feet above sea level; the gauge should be monitored during both spring melts and heavy rain events that impact northwestern Wisconsin as Pepin County is at the bottom of the Chippewa River watershed. Businesses and residents living in the floodplain should pay attention to the flood gauge, especially during snow melts as ice jams can cause the river to rise quickly.

• At 12.5 feet, River Street begins to flood; the lower road (County Road P) also begins to flood. 
• At 13-15 feet (minor flood stage) the basements of businesses in the City of Durand downtown district start to flood (varies by building)
• At 17 feet, (major flood stage) water begins to enter the lower level of Durand City Hall

Pepin County recently updated the FEMA floodplain maps for the Chippewa River via a LOMR process so that we have more accurate information about the floodplain elevations throughout the county. The flood elevations vary significantly as one travels downstream the river.

Arkansaw Creek has a history of flash flooding which has been documented for the last 100 years. However, Pepin County doesn't have detailed data available to convey the flood risks of this waterway with those in the Arkansaw Community. There is a stone monument in Arkansaw Creek Park noting the flood of record which is noted as being the August 2009 flood event, which caused damage to Arkansaw businesses, homes, and the park. There were also significant floods in the early 1990's and mid 1970s.

Pepin County recently received a "Pre-Disaster Flood Resilience Grant" which will help pay for tools to help Pepin County better understand the flooding risk to the Arkansaw Community. As part of this grant opportunity, the county will be updating the floodplain map and a rainfall to flood elevation table that will be utilized to convey the risk of flooding based upon precipitation totals. 

Pepin County and all of it's incorporated municipalities (City of Durand, Villages of Pepin and Stockholm) participate in the National Floodplain Insurance Program (NFIP) by adopting and enforcing the floodplain regulations that are required by the state and federal government as a means of floodplain mitigation. The government's participation in the NFIP enables our property owners and renters to have the option to purchase flood insurance (either via the NFIP or private insurance companies) to insure their home, business, or personal possessions from potential flood impacts. FEMA considers flood insurance to be the first line of defense against flood damage and a step toward quicker recovery following a flood.

Flood insurance rates are influenced by a number of factors, which include the proximity to water (flooding source), depth of flooding, zone on a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), value of structure and possessions, when the structure was built, and documentation of the property's compliance with floodplain standards.

Please note: You do not need to live in a FEMA flood zone to purchase flood insurance. Properties in the floodplain will require flood insurance if purchased with a traditional mortgage.

There are things you can do before a flood to protect your property

• Know your flood risk. Look up your address on FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center or consult the local floodplain administrator/GIS staff in regards to your flood risk for your specific property.
• Get flood insurance. Most homeowners’ insurance does not cover flood damage.
• Secure your home. Install essential appliances and utilities in areas where they are permanently located above the base flood elevation. Furniture, electronics, and other items that could be damaged by flood waters should be kept in areas not prone to flooding. If you have time, bring in outdoor furniture.
• Turn off utilities - Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
• Do a household inventory. Take photos and videos of all major household items and valuables. Retain these in a safe place because they are important when filing insurance claims.
• Store important documents in a safe, dry place such as watertight container.
• Have an emergency kit packed that is ready in case you need to leave your home quickly. Keep it in a designated place and make sure all family members know where it is kept. 
• Invest in flood mitigation. Did you know that for every dollar spent by homeowners on flood mitigation, potentially $7 are saved from future losses. People can mitigate flood damage to their homes by:
  • Elevating and anchoring utilities including electrical panels, propane tanks, sockets, wiring, appliances, and heating systems.
  • Installing a water alarm and maintain a working sump pump to protect your basement.
  • Installing flood vents in foundation walls, garages, and other enclosed areas. They reduce flood damage by allowing water to flow through and drain out; especially when these areas are located below the base flood elevation.
  • Using flood-resistant materials in areas of your home, like replacing carpeting with tiles or using flood-resistant insulation and gypsum wallboard to prevent water doing major damage.
  • Clear away any debris from gutters and downspouts to avoid water accumulation.
  • Installing a backflow valve on your sewer system to prevent sewage backup in your home.
  • Adding waterproof veneer to exterior walls to prevent shallow flooding from damaging your home. Seal basement walls with waterproofing compounds.
  • Retaining and creating natural green space around your home to help reduce runoff. Consider rain gardens or permeable pavement which allow rain and snowmelt to seep through the surface to underlying layers of soil and gravel.

Please note: It is very important to plan ahead to protect your own personal property in the floodplain. Pepin County does not have any sandbags, jersey barriers, or other types of flood barriers, nor do we request them from state or federal sources. Flooding along the Mississippi and Chippewa Rivers often raises the river by 10 to 15 feet, since the rivers form miles of boundaries in our county it is impossible for us to procure enough sandbags to protect all homes and businesses that could be impacted by flooding. The best flood protection methods are building wear it is safe, in accordance with the floodplain regulations, or modifying existing floodplain structures so they are floodproofed, properly elevated, and anchored to withstand the expected flood impacts.

The following common sense guidelines can help you stay safe during a flood:

• Stay informed - Listen to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio, or local television and radio for information related to flooding. For the Chippewa and Mississippi Rivers, the best source of information is going to be the NOAA websites for each respective river gauge. Pepin County will send out generalized flood alerts when significant flood events are imminent; we have turned off the automatic NWS flood alerts for riverine flooding due to the frequency and timing of the alerts. Flash flood warnings will continue to be automatically rebroadcast via Nixle.
• Have a plan to evacuate before floodwaters become unsafe or access to dryland is compromised. 
• If you have time, disconnect utilities and appliances.
• Don’t walk through flood waters. Water may be deeper than it appears and can hide hazards such as sharp objects, electrical wires, chemicals, etc.
• If driving - Turn around, don’t drown – never drive through flooded roadways.
  • Six inches of fast-moving water can knock a person off their feet.
  • A foot of rushing water can carry away a small car, while two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles.
  • Six inches of water can also reach the bottom of most passenger vehicles, causing them to stall.
  • If your vehicle stalls, abandon it immediately and get to higher ground.
  • Stay off bridges over fast-moving water. Fast-moving water can wash bridges away without warning.
  • If your vehicle is trapped in rapidly moving water, stay in the vehicle. If the water is rising inside the vehicle, seek refuge on the roof.

If you experienced flooding in your home or business, photos are your best source of documentation. Take photos before moving or trying to fix anything!

If you have property and/or flood insurance, call your insurance agent to report damages.

Pepin County utilizes 2-1-1 to collect flood impact information; calling 2-1-1 to report your flood damages and any unmet needs helps the county understand the community impacts. This information is critical to helping with the recovery process as it allows decision makers to determine whether or not we need outside assistance from Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (VOADs) and if local residents and businesses could potentially be eligible for disaster relief. Relief is commonly in the form of low interest loans, but could potentially include grants or other services to low-income households.  Please note, residents should not expect this funding to be available as the state and federal government programs have to meet specific criteria in order for local communities to receive funding. Nonetheless, everyone is highly encouraged to keep a record of their damages and expenses.

Pepin County can request assistance from volunteer groups that may be able to help with temporary sheltering, provision of food/water, clean-up assistance, and debris removal if the 211 reports suggest that there is an identified need in the community.

Stay informed - continue to monitor the NOAA river gauges to determine when it is safe to return. Pepin County may utilize Nixle, the county website, social media, and/or the local newspaper to share information related to flood recovery resources and activities.

Reminders after you return home:

• The Pepin County Land Conservation & Planning Department has water testing kits for bacteria available that can be utilized to determine if the drinking water from wells impacted by flood waters is safe to consume. 
• Inspect building foundation and accessory structures for cracks and other damage.
• Use generators outdoors
• Clean up safely - dry out your home as soon as possible to prevent mold. Wear goggles, protective gloves, boots, pants, long-sleeved shirt, and a respirator mask to protect you from mold damage. Throw away unsafe food and any items exposed to flood waters that cannot be sanitized. 
  • Pepin County has a small stockpile of flood clean-up kits and can request additional kits from our VOAD partners if needed to help individuals or businesses recover from a flood.

More information on flood clean-up can be found in this Wisconsin Department of Health Flood Toolkit.