Latest flood conditions in Janesville
JANESVILLE—The Hedberg Public Library has been closed today because of a power outage while the city manager has declared a flood emergency, officials announced at an afternoon briefing.
A special city council meeting will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday to update the council on flood conditions. The council also will have to approve City Manager Steve Sheiffer’s declaration of emergency.
The declaration allows Sheiffer to issue orders to the public, though none have been made yet, he said. The proclamation also begins the process of having the area declared a disaster area by the governor and the president, which makes governmental entities and property owners eligible for benefits.
One area of concern is the Mole & Sadler’s subdivision where more than 40 residents have evacuated. Sewer problems are developing as residents remain in their homes on the west side of Charles Street because they are on higher ground that will not be affected by the flood waters. City officials will hold a neighborhood meeting for the subdivision residents at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at the corner of Elgin Avenue and Charles Street to discuss their options.
Citizens are advised to stay away from the river, particularly the Monterey Dam, which has been fenced off and monitored by a police officer. Police say residents are ignoring the “Caution” tape restricting access to the river. Sheiffer directed city staff to patrol busy areas of the river wall to keep people away from the fast-moving current.
The list of road closures continues to increase, and officials say Parker Drive—now down to one lane in each direction—eventually will be impassable. A detour is in the planning stages.
Jun 15, 2008 at 11 a.m.
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Thank you for all who have helped us out at 8-14 S. Main Street. The 1920's broken storm water line under our building has been a nightmare this enitre year. We have been pumping water since April! Thank you to the Metropolitan Restaurant, Liv Photography and Winn Appraisal and their customers for their support and understanding. We are hoping the City of Janesville will find a solution to our underground river. Sincerely, Deborah & Tim Fischer Rock River View LLC.
Jun 15, 2008 at 9:01 a.m.
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I live next to the river and have been working hard as the river rises closer and closer to the house. I saw the police and the park services close off the bicycle bridge. Still there are people going across it, with their kids!!! Is it so hard to ride across the field or thru the batting cages parking lot to get to a safe crossing? Think about it people!!
Jun 15, 2008 at 8:17 a.m.
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slantbob, I've never seen water flowing down Main Street.
Jun 15, 2008 at 8:11 a.m.
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What's wrong with taking your kids downtown to teach them a little about what is going on in there community. Also, because its kind of hard to pitch in when you have 3 kids with you, I thought it was a good idea to show them what others were doing.
Jun 15, 2008 at 1:40 a.m.
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I saw SO many people downtown today while I was running errands. It was ridiculous! People being touristy with their cameras and strings of children in tow.
I agree with Prevention, though. Stop gawking and grab some sandbags! Thanks to all the people who have pitched in!
Jun 15, 2008 at 12:58 a.m.
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looks like we found a way to get people to hang out downtown. I can't believe how many people that were down there looking at the river. You would think they have never seen water before.
Jun 14, 2008 at 9:49 p.m.
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I think that if people are dumb enough to ignore the tape that they should be swept away with the river... I mean seriously. Don't get me wrong, I hope that doesn't happen but you have to be really dense to think that it would be safe or sanitary to walk anywhere near that river... ewe. But humans are human I guess... but remember "curiousity killed the cat.." and we aren't that far off from the intellegence of felines sometimes.... lol
Jun 14, 2008 at 8:29 p.m.
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Thank you!
AND, for you gawkers: PLEASE, next time you're out and about taking pictures of us sandbagging around the river side businesses, put down your cameras and lend a hand.
Jun 14, 2008 at 6 p.m.
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Relax -- the library building isn't about to be washed away. But they will probably end up with wet carpets. I assume they've spent the last day or so moving everything important up off the floor. (The archive of Janesville history stuff is in the reading room on the upper floor, well above the water.)
Jun 14, 2008 at 5:06 p.m.
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Man, I hope that the library is able to come out of this. Can we build the wall higher? I'd rather not have to see the river if it means the FREE library is saved with all that history.
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