Vernon County recorded just over nine and a half inches of rain this weekend. It caused some cities downtowns to be barricaded as well as a shutting down of roads including Highway 14 at Readstown. County Emergency Management Director Jerry Crotsenberg says the dams are in bad shape. Thirteen of the 22 official flood control dams are in the “danger phase” because of near overflowing or damage from flooding that occured last August.
In the current and former downpours, Vernon County was the hardest hit in the state. Local residents were encouraged to evacuate Tuesday night but some chose not to. Dam inspectors are inspecting Monday. If they determine the danger is severe, Crotsenberg says they will have to be more forceful in encouraging evacuation.