Columbia County Emergency Management Services

05/29/2026

Heat Awareness Day in Wisconsin is next week!♨️

Take time now before extreme heat arrives to plan and know what you need and what to do to stay safe and cool.😎

Learn more: https://wem.wi.gov/readywisconsin-release-heat-awareness-day-in-wisconsin-is-june-3/

Wisconsin Department of Health Services
US National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Wisconsin
US National Weather Service Green Bay Wisconsin
US National Weather Service Duluth Minnesota
US National Weather Service Twin Cities Minnesota
US National Weather Service La Crosse Wisconsin

05/15/2026

05/12/2026

Reminder.... Storm Spotter Training tonight from 6:30-8:30 at the Columbia County Law Enforcement Center.

05/12/2026

04/30/2026

Rescheduled! We've found new dates for spotter training sessions that we had to cancel over the past few weeks due to severe weather. Here are the new dates for the cancelled talks:
Monday, May 4th: New Berlin-Waukesha County
Thursday, May 14th: Port Washington-Ozaukee County
Monday, May 18th: Fond du Lac-FDL County
Wednesday, May 20th: Montello-Marquette County
Thursday, May 21st: West Bend-Washington County (Aft/Eve sessions)

For more details, please visit:
https://www.weather.gov/mkx/spotter-schedule

04/30/2026

APRIL 29, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
COLUMBIA COUNTY
SLOW NO WAKE ORDER CANCELED
The Slow No Wake Order has been canceled for the
Wisconsin River
Wisconsin River from the Highway 33 Bridge in Portage downstream to
Lake Wisconsin (GPS reading at Lake WI of 43 25.524 W089 31.693.)
Columbia County, Wisconsin
Effective April, 29, 2026.
Please contact Columbia County Emergency Management at 608-742-9890 with any
questions.
Marie Darling Ellis, Director
COLUMBIA COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

04/23/2026

Roads are reopening across the state as floodwaters recede. However, hazards remain on those still closed roads and other areas of remaining water.
⚠️ Do not attempt to drive around barricades - they're there for a reason
🌊 Avoid walking through or playing in floodwaters

Recovery

04/22/2026

💧Floodwater isn’t just dirty; it can carry harmful bacteria that can contaminate private wells. If your area has flooded, don’t assume your well water is safe to drink, cook with, or even brush your teeth. Have your water disinfected and tested before use and use bottled water in the meantime.

If your well has been affected by flood waters, you can get a FREE bacteria test kit from Columbia County Public Health! Call us at 608-742-9227 or stop in today for more information. 💧

For more information on disinfecting your well, visit https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Wells/flood.html

04/21/2026

APRIL 21, 2026 1200
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE
Wisconsin River Flooding Update In Columbia County
________________________________________

The Wisconsin River has fallen below moderate flood stage and is currently 17.82 feet at the Portage Gauge. The National Weather Service has updated their prediction, and the Wisconsin River is expected to lower to minor flood stage of 17 feet on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Updates will follow as the water level changes.

If you have damage to report, please call 2-1-1 to have your contact information added to the list. Once the water recedes someone will be in contact with you to schedule a time to complete a damage assessment. Additional information regarding flood resources can be found on our website at Emergency Management Flooding Information.

Sandbags and sand continue to be available to the public to fill at the Columbia County Highway Shop located at 338 West Old Highway 16, Wyocena, (southeast side of highway shop building in the parking lot). You will need to bring your own shovel to fill bags and a truck or trailer to haul them.

A limited number of sump pumps are available for citizen use through the Columbia County Emergency Management Office. Please contact Emergency Management to arrange for pick up.

People who live in low-lying areas or along the river are encouraged to take appropriate actions and to monitor the river levels for any changes. You can monitor the river levels by clicking on the following link to the National Weather Service Website River Gauge: https://water.noaa.gov/gauges/PORW3

ROAD CLOSURES: Once the water level recedes, the highway department will begin inspecting the closed roadways. If the roadway is deemed safe for travel the closed road signage will be removed. A listing of Columbia County Road Closures is located on our website at http://www.co.columbia.wi.us under “Public Interest”. This will be updated as impacted roads are closed. Please do not attempt to drive through standing water on roadways. If you come across a roadway that is covered with water that has not been closed/barricaded, please contact the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center at 608-742-4166 extension 1, to report the location so appropriate action can be taken.

TURN AROUND DON’T DROWN! Do not attempt to drive through water on a roadway. As little as six inches of moving water can sweep a car off the road.

Local authorities will continue to monitor the situation and provide updated information as it becomes available.

Please contact Columbia County Emergency Management with any questions, at 608-742-9890

Columbia County Emergency Management
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04/20/2026

https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/newsroom/release/121981

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced that floodwaters in the Portage area continue to recede and are predicted to drop further over the next several days. The DNR will continue to monitor water levels as the Columbia County Emergency Operation Center returns to normal....