(This story has been updated to add new information.)
It’s official — it’s the wettest April ever in Green Bay, and there’s still half of the month left.
As of April 15, Green Bay got 7.88 inches of precipitation, according to the National Weather Service Green Bay. It beat the record set in 1929 of 6.46 inches in the entire month of April.
That includes over 4 inches of rain April 13-15 that brought significant flooding and closed some area schools for a day. Some rain is still on the way tonight, but it will be more scattered throughout, said Jillian Goodin, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Green Bay.
Starting in the evening April 15, the Green Bay area could get another 0.25 to 0.5 inch of rain through the night. Then there’s a break in the weather until the afternoon of April 17 with more heavy rain.
In total, Green Bay got 14.5 inches so far this year, according to NWS data. By the same time last year on April 15, Green Bay saw 5.83 inches of rain over the year.
Several roads closed to manage water levels and trails along the East River are still closed. On April 15, Brown County said that Pamperin Park in Howard was closed until further notice. Part of Riverside Drive needs to be repaired between Rock Bottom Court and St Pats Drive after it got washed out with the rain. The flood warning in Brown County is in effect until 1:30 p.m.
Some health clinics extended closings to April 15 because of ongoing flooding. Emplify Health’s Riverside Behavioral Health clinic and Prevea East De Pere Health Center closed April 15 and will reopen April 16.
Water starts receding
Water levels have crested and are holding steady at Duck Creek and the East River.
Following a burst of rain the evening of April 14, water in the East River hit 12.08 feet at 9:25 p.m, or about four feet higher than the river’s typical eight-foot water level. About an hour later, at 10:45 p.m, Duck Creek in Howard peaked at about 19.64 feet, about a half foot shy from crossing over the creek’s threshold for moderate flooding at 20 feet.
Geoff Farr, public works director of Howard, said the night of April 14 that he didn’t expect water to rise much more at Duck Creek. The creek’s basin is influenced by rain in the county’s southwest, toward Freedom, which was less severe than around Green Bay, “so we are not preparing for or anticipating higher water,” Farr said. He added that water in the village was receding in most areas.
Water has come down slightly at both waterways through the morning of April 15, dropping about a foot by 9 a.m. to 11.21 feet at the East River and 18.97 feet at Duck Creek.
Water has started to drain from some of the most severely impacted parts of Allouez, Bellevue, Green Bay and Ledgeview along the East River.
As of 9:30 a.m., the intersection of Hoffman Road and East River Drive in Allouez was dry, though barricades and a sign of “Water Over Road” at Hoffman Road and Bellevue Street remained.
Ponds still saturate Ledgeview Park.
Water has stagnated over a portion of the East River Trail at Van Beaver Park in Green Bay.
Allouez offers special bulk pickup for flooding
A special bulk pickup option will be available for Allouez residents living in the part of the village most affected by flooding.
The village announced it will pick up bulk waste on April 22 from homes north of State 172, east of Libal Street, and south of East St. Joseph Street. This portion of the village, along the East River, has been especially affected by water flooding basements.
Bulk waste includes most household items, like mattresses, furniture, carpeting, windows, doors, wood, and sinks.
The village excluded cardboard, tires, gas or charcoal grills, other gas-powered equipment, exercise equipment, car batteries, light bulbs, electronics and home appliances.
Hobart declares state of emergency
Hobart Village Board President Rich Heidel on April 15 declared a state of emergency to accommodate the village’s flood response.
The declaration, effective immediately and in effect “until further notice,” cited heavy rains that led to flooding and damaged roads in the village. It requires those driving in the village to obey all posted barricades and signs that restrict or deny access to roads for the sake of cleaning storm damage.
Contact Benita Mathew at bmathew@usatodayco.com.
Jesse Lin is a reporter covering the community of Green Bay and its surroundings, as well as politics in northeastern Wisconsin. He also writes a weekly column answering reader questions about Green Bay. Contact and send him questions at 920-834-4250 or jlin@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: April becomes wettest one ever in Green Bay. Here’s what to know
Reporting by Benita Mathew and Jesse Lin, Green Bay Press-Gazette / Green Bay Press-Gazette
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