Severe storms that swept through Wisconsin nearly two weeks ago caused little damage in the Tomah area. Areas in southern Monroe County and much of western Wisconsin were not so lucky.

The Monroe County Emergency Management Department Coordinator, Cynthia Engelke, said Thursday that portions of southern Monroe County received extensive flood damage. Several roads in the southern part of the county remain closed after damage from washouts, mud slides and debris.

“It is mostly the town roads that are closed in these areas,” Engelke said. “As far as road damage goes, it is primarily townships south of Sparta, especially along the Vernon County line. All of the county roads have been repaired to where they are back open.”

Engelke said that several county roads were closed initially following the flood for debris removal. She also said that several roads remain closed in the area of the Jefferson, Portland, Glendale, and Sheldon townships.

Individual damage has also been reported in southern portions of the county. Engelke said that Monroe County Emergency Management has received phone calls reporting anywhere from one inch of water to four feet of water in home basements. Preliminary assessments are in the millions, Engelke said.

There has also been significant crop damage in the affected area, and many fields remain under water.

“A lot of crops took significant damage,” Engelke said. “A lot of the fields are under water, and because of the fast flowing water, mud and debris wound up in the fields.”

Monroe County Emergency Management has assessed $2.7 million in corn crop losses, and $993,000 worth of alfalfa losses. Roughly 1,265 farms were affected.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be in the county today (Thursday) to start preliminary individual assessments. FEMA will return on Friday to make public assessments for assistance.