Severe weather and floods could impact central Wisconsin the afternoon of Wednesday, July 16 as storms moves through the area.
A complex of thunderstorms will move across central Wisconsin bringing showers and storms from late morning through the afternoon, Roy Eckberg, meteorologist with National Weather Service Green Bay told to a USA TODAY NETWORK reporter Wednesday morning.
Pockets of heavier rain within storms could produce between 1-3 inches of rain and a small chance for pea-sized hail. Other severe weather risks include potential for damaging winds up to 60 mph and a small risk for a tornado, Eckberg said.
Flood watch issued for Marathon, Portage and Wood counties
The National Weather Service issued a flood watch that goes into effect at 1 p.m. through this evening and includes all of Marathon, Portage and Wood counties. The heaviest rains should mostly move out of the area by 4 p.m., Eckberg said.
Areas south of U.S. 10, including Wisconsin Rapids and Stevens Point, are expected to receive the most rain, Eckberg said.
Those in central Wisconsin should look out for urban street flooding, ponding of water on highways and roads, and rising rivers, streams, and creeks through the afternoon, Eckberg said.
Drivers should not drive onto flooded roadways as underwater road damage often cannot be seen and vehicles can be swept away by floodwater.
Erik Pfantz covers local government and education in central Wisconsin for USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin and values his background as a rural Wisconsinite. Contact him at epfantz@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Stevens Point Journal: Wednesday storms could bring heavy rains, small hail & flooding to central Wisconsin
Reporting by Erik Pfantz, Stevens Point Journal / Stevens Point Journal
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