Portage, Wis. – Floodwaters along the Wisconsin River near Highway 33 are receding, easing immediate risk but leaving road closures and damage across Columbia County.
According to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, river levels at the Highway 33 Portage bridge have begun to drop, with no additional rainfall forecast in the coming days. Despite the improvement, officials say water levels remain high and the danger is not fully over.
Several roads across the county are still covered with water and remain closed. Authorities are urging residents not to drive through flooded areas and to avoid barricaded roadways. The Columbia County Highway Department will reopen roads only after they are deemed safe and debris or hazards are cleared.
Officials also confirmed the levee system held as designed during peak flooding. Emergency Management, the Sheriff’s Office, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources continue monitoring conditions near the levee for any changes. Residents are advised to stay away from those areas as a precaution.
The response involved multiple agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portage Police and Fire, Columbia County Public Health, and other regional partners, all coordinated through the county’s Emergency Management team.
While the immediate threat is easing, authorities say the flooding caused significant damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Recovery efforts are now beginning, and some residents may still be dealing with water damage and cleanup.
Anyone needing immediate assistance is asked to contact the county dispatch center.
For commuters and students, ongoing road closures could affect travel routes in the coming days.
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