Critical Info: Forecast, Rain Totals, Road Closures & Pollution Threat

Updated 12:20p; 4:40p; 8:15p

Kenosha---So many roads were closed due to high water Wednesday that Kenosha County ran out of barricades. 

"It's unbelievable to me the water I see out there," said Kenosha County Sheriff Dave Beth at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.

Between two and eight inches fell in the WGTD listening area Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. A 12-inch rain total that was referenced during the news conference has been discredited because it came from a single source and is much higher than any other total that's been reported, according to a NWS forecaster.

The slowly shrinking list of closed streets and highways in Kenosha County now includes Hwy. 50 at the Fox River. Because of anticipated flooding, barricades in both directions were put up Wednesday evening. They're expected to remain in place for several days. 

Record flooding is expected on the Fox, according to NWS. The river at New Munster is expected to crest Thursday morning at 17.5 feet. That's 6.5 feet above flood stage.   

In the City of Kenosha, a total of roughly ten inches of rain fell Monday and Wednesday, overwhelming the sewage treatment plant and resulting in a rare release of raw sewage into Lake Michigan, according to utility manager Ed St. Peter. With the ground so saturated and the utility's 30-million gallon holding tank full, no other alternatives existed, he said, adding that the dual storms a day apart have been the worst singular rain event that he's seen in his 46-year career at the utility. "It's not manageable," he said of the high water volume. 

The area appeared poised to see more rain late Wednesday night and early Thursday morning as a cold front moves through. Heavy rains could be accompanied by high winds and hail.

One positive: Unlike the slow-moving storms that struck Monday and Wednesday, these new cells will be faster-moving.

Nonetheless, a Flood Warning for Kenosha, Racine and Walworth counties is in effect until Thursday at 5:45 p.m.

States of emergency have been declared in both Racine and Kenosha counties, paving the way for the possibility of federal disaster help. Residents and business owners are being asked to report any damage. In Kenosha, the number to call is 262-605-7924. In Racine County, it's 866-211-3380.

Kenosha County residents can email in reports to disaster@kenoshacounty.org. Racine County has a website at http://www.impactinc.org/impact-2-2-2/racine-county-flooding/

No injuries have been reported, although two people in separate incidents had to be rescued from vehicles that got caught in high water.

Gasoline storage tanks at Shell in Paddock Lake started to leak Wednesday, apparently because of water pressure, according to Sheriff Beth.

For the second time this week, Kenosha's south side Pick n' Save off of Highway 50 had to close because of flood waters.  The store reopened at 3 p.m. 

The Pleasant Prairie Mobile Home Park--located on 60th St. just east of I-94--had to be evacuated when the Kilbourn Rd. Ditch overflowed its banks. 

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