River at steps. The Dousman House, once an overnight trackside stop on the Milwaukee railroad, before the era of sleepers., is closed off to traffic by rising Mississippi River flood waters moving over St. Feriole Island at Prairie du Chien.
Evacuation site set up for people flooded out
PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, Wis, — Authorities barricaded access to St. Feriole Island as Mississippi flood water lapped at historic sites where U.S. and British troops battled in the War of 1812. Parts of the city itself were flooding too. Marc Myhre, of the county emergency management office, said shelter for displaced people was available at the Hoffman Recreational Center. Already the 24-foot level for major floods was exceeded, and the river was expected to crest go higher, perhaps to 25.3 feet, between April 29 and May 2. A crest of 25.3 would be just short of the record 25.38 in 1965. Bottled water was being stockpiled at the Hoffman Center. People were advised to try to prevent flood water in their basements from entering sewage lines. Advice: Place a plastic bag and a couple sandbags over floor drains.