Updated at 9:45p to add information from Burlington
As a result of the heavy rains, record flooding is forecast for the Fox River in western Racine and Kenosha counties.
The National Weather Service says the river--at New Munster in Kenosha County--is expected to crest Thursday morning at 17.5 feet. That's 6.5 feet above flood stage.
The impact on structures along the river is a bit unclear, in part because of the unprecedented height, and also because Kenosha County over the past 20 years has bought up and demolished dozens of homes that were in the flood plain. The purchases were made with help from the federal government.
In anticipation of high water spilling onto the road, four-lane Highway 50 was closed Wednesday evening, giving east-west commuters a traffic headache. The highway is expected to remain barricaded for several days.
The strong currents and the high levels of the Fox are also impacting the City of Burlington. Police Chief Mark Anderson is urging people to stay away from the river and off bridges for safety reasons.
The Fox winds its way through several Burlington neighborhoods.
Burlington has been particularly hard-hit. Much of the city was without power for a time and land-line phone service, according to a news release from Racine County.
Sandbags are being filled and distributed to residents at two locations: Walgreen's on Milwaukee Ave. and at Karcher Middle School on Robert Street.
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