Dane County officials declared a state of emergency after torrential rains caused record-breaking flooding and claimed the life of at least one person.
The National Weather Service said about 13 inches of rain fell west of Madison overnight. Mazomanie was one of the areas hardest hit.
Officials don’t know how many families in Mazomanie are affected but believe it’s well over 100 just in the downtown area. The fire department warned residents of possible flooding in the middle of the night.
“We walked through the water. I carried her (4-year-old daughter) through the water... We just didn’t expect it,” said Miranda Whetzal.
“When we were taking all of our stuff out my neighbor's wife was still on the porch down there so we went back and got our boat. It was the neighbors you can’t just leave them sitting there so we went and got them and brought them back,” said Craig Booth.
Some families went back to their homes to access the damage this afternoon, but officials say it will be days before they can get back inside to clean up.
“The basements flooded. It being 10 feet elevated, I’m grateful for that. I will totally take that over what I know my neighbors will have to deal,” said Kila Bruner.
“It was very sad like all the memories in the basement,” said Sierra Buckeridge.
The Red Cross set up a shelter at the Mazomanie Middle School.
