Hey Boffo and other Fox Valley folk, how are you holding up? I now live on the FdL River, which is sort of cool, because 18 hours ago it used to be a couple of blocks away.
Well, I can still get to work in Watertown on Hwy 16, although I may not be able to get back home by that same route tonight. I'm supposed to drive up to GB tonight, but I'm not sure how much of 41 will stay open near Boffo's territory. WisDOT currently says it's open, but it's a changing situation.
We're good in Oconomowoc, except right near the lakes. I wouldn't be able to go golfing at one of the courses near me due to water, but there's no dangers here.
I'm hoping 41 and 94 stay relatively secure. My folks live between Eagle and Dousman, and we're going to traipse down there for the weekend. We're high and dry in the house, but there's 5 feet of water in the basement, which is sort of disarming. I usually take 67 to P and go through the Oc, but I'm more inclined to stay on the I's today.
Oh my, let me tell you. Thursdays I travel to Waterford, a small town a littel bit south of Milwaukee. So that's a two-hour drive. No problems on the way down.
But on the way back, the problems started. At first I just was delayed a little by utility trucks that were removing debris that had fallen on power lnies. All through Milwaukee there was rain, although it wasn't bad or anything. Farther north, though it got to be an absolute downpour. I mean, you got your wipers on max and you still can hardly see anything. When I got to Fond du Lac, (about 20 minutes south of home), I was told that there was a tornado warning and that I should get off the roads. I had already gotten off of the highway (Hwy 41) because of standing water on it. I waited for like an hour until the warning expired, then started my way home. I couldn't take 41 because of the flooding there, I didn't dare take 45 because that floods even easier, so I was taking back roads. I get to South Main St. in Oshkosh to discover that it's closed (due to flooding of course). So I have to backtrack and try a different way. Several different times I was sure that my car was going to die with the water levels being as high as they were. Then getting through the city was another hassle entirely. By the time I got into my house, it was 8:30, 4 hours after I had left Waterford on what's normally a two-hour drive. Here are some pictures the local newspaper took of the city. http://www.thenorthwestern.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=U0&Date=20080612&Category=OSH01&ArtNo=806120815&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=1
But I made it, and the car didn't die, and we don't have as much flodding in the basement as some people have, so all in all, I have to be thankful.
Downtown Des Moines is a mess too, but not nearly at this level. Trying to get even to the eastern side of town is basically down to the two interstate routes, and they are stop-and-go all the way in the evening.
Luckily, I work and live on the west end of the metro. If I wasn't one to watch the news, I might not even notice there's a problem.
Mrs. spf and I got hitched in Des Moines, in an outdoor wedding on May 31. It is beginning to look like we used a lifetime worth of luck in getting a bright sunny day for the ceremony.
We were always supposed to track down some relatives in Iowa if there was ever a disaster in CA because the theory was that nothing bad ever happens in Iowa (well, that and Long distance is generally easier to get than in-state during an emergency).
I have no idea who I was supposed to call or where they were. But, I hope our relatives are OK.
I-94 between Hwy 83 in Waukesha County and Hwy 89 in Jefferson county is causing a lot of grief, but most of the county roads nearby seem to still be open. (county info is on the right hand side of that page)
At least the weather is cooperating for the most part today.
I-94 between Hwy 83 in Waukesha County and Hwy 89 in Jefferson county is causing a lot of grief, but most of the county roads nearby seem to still be open. (county info is on the right hand side of that page)
At least the weather is cooperating for the most part today.
Wish me luck!
16 is really hectic because most people are using it as the non-posted detour. It's torn up through Oconomowoc, and might even have to be closed west of Oconomowoc, since there's water right at the roadside. If that happens, getting to and from work will be a real joy.