Oshkosh's Third "10-Year" Storm In Four Years
Early morning and into the afternoon on May 3 Oshkosh endured some hefty rainfall amounts. Thunderstorms trained over the city which kept the populous enthralled to sights of bright lightning strikes and sounds of deep thunder roars and pounding rain.
(Winnebago County Precipitation Totals)
1.34 MNSW3 MENASHA-JEFFERSON
2.08 NAHW3 NEENAH-EAST
1.55 WNCW3 WINNECONNE-5NW-LK
3.56 OMSW3 OMRO-SOUTHEAST
3.26 OMWW3 OMRO-2
3.10 OOHW3 OSHKOSH-5
4.12 OSNW3 OSHKOSH-NORTH
2.76 OSH OSHKOSH-AIRPORT
4.15 OKHW3 OSHKOSH-WWTP
3.35 OOSW3 OSHKOSH-6
(Wisconsin Statewide Precipitation Totals)
Travel around town was limited as high water made roads impassable rerouting traffic onto the path less traveled. The new surroundings brought the situation into light. Many citizens, again, were hit very hard by the flooding rains.
While this torrential rainfall may be an inch plus less than what fell in June 2008, the impact is just the same. Flooded basements and flooded yards and flooded parking lots discharging the standing water anywhere possible which eventually drains into the Fox River and Lake Winnebago. Storm water management is a big deal for the "Event City", "On The Water". The frequency of high impact rainfall has increased 40% in the last 60 years. Oshkosh is no stranger to this phenomenon. The Oshkosh 2008 stormwater management plan defines a 10-year storm as 3.56 inches in 24 hours. In the past four years, we've surpassed that total three times and nearly surpassed it two more times in 2004 and 2008 respectively. Perhaps the 10-year storm needs to be redefined.
This rainfall ranks sixth all-time in Oshkosh history. Daily weather observations for Oshkosh date back to 1893. Click here to view the 3-Day archived radar loop.
(Sawyer Creek - May 3, 2010 - Courtesy of MarkMartin)
Daily precipitation observations often need special attention. Today was no exception. To all of those who volunteer their time, keep up the great work. To all of those affected by the flooding today I wish you all a speedy clean-up and recovery!
(OSNW3 - 4.12" - May 3, 2012)
(Winnebago County Precipitation Totals)
1.34 MNSW3 MENASHA-JEFFERSON
2.08 NAHW3 NEENAH-EAST
1.55 WNCW3 WINNECONNE-5NW-LK
3.56 OMSW3 OMRO-SOUTHEAST
3.26 OMWW3 OMRO-2
3.10 OOHW3 OSHKOSH-5
4.12 OSNW3 OSHKOSH-NORTH
2.76 OSH OSHKOSH-AIRPORT
4.15 OKHW3 OSHKOSH-WWTP
3.35 OOSW3 OSHKOSH-6
(Wisconsin Statewide Precipitation Totals)
Travel around town was limited as high water made roads impassable rerouting traffic onto the path less traveled. The new surroundings brought the situation into light. Many citizens, again, were hit very hard by the flooding rains.
Little Lake Waugoo re-fills for the first time in 2012. #wiwx twitter.com/streetwiseosh/…
— Jeff Bollier (@streetwiseosh) May 3, 2012
Looks like no recess for the kids at E. Cook today. twitter.com/DaveWasinger/s…
— Dave Wasinger (@DaveWasinger) May 3, 2012
The Holmquist family just moved into their house this weekend. This is their basement. #wiwx #fvwx twitter.com/jessieopie/sta…
— Jessie Opoien (@jessieopie) May 3, 2012
While this torrential rainfall may be an inch plus less than what fell in June 2008, the impact is just the same. Flooded basements and flooded yards and flooded parking lots discharging the standing water anywhere possible which eventually drains into the Fox River and Lake Winnebago. Storm water management is a big deal for the "Event City", "On The Water". The frequency of high impact rainfall has increased 40% in the last 60 years. Oshkosh is no stranger to this phenomenon. The Oshkosh 2008 stormwater management plan defines a 10-year storm as 3.56 inches in 24 hours. In the past four years, we've surpassed that total three times and nearly surpassed it two more times in 2004 and 2008 respectively. Perhaps the 10-year storm needs to be redefined.
This rainfall ranks sixth all-time in Oshkosh history. Daily weather observations for Oshkosh date back to 1893. Click here to view the 3-Day archived radar loop.
Since 7am, #OSNW3 has picked up another 0.70" of a new rainfall. This puts our 3-day total at 5.19". (0.37, 4.12, 0.70) #Oshkosh #wiwx #fvwxSawyer Creek was flowing over it's banks behind the new Computer Corner store at 467 N. Washburn. Sawyer Creek is tied to a high percentage of flooding in Oshkosh.
— Josh Herman (@OSNW3) May 3, 2012
(Sawyer Creek - May 3, 2010 - Courtesy of MarkMartin)
Daily precipitation observations often need special attention. Today was no exception. To all of those who volunteer their time, keep up the great work. To all of those affected by the flooding today I wish you all a speedy clean-up and recovery!
(OSNW3 - 4.12" - May 3, 2012)
Stunning Josh! That is just a huge amount of rain! I've never seen that much rain in one night before, glad to hear your yard did not get the brunt of the flooding! Funny how you got into a dry streak and it all came at once! A bit different over here. Were getting alot more rain lately, but were in need of more as much of Southern Minnesota is in severe drought.
ReplyDeleteD, I had to look back at the data. I hadn't realized Oshkosh had been in a dry spell. We had the little bit of flooding on Apr-19, but then a regression. Thanks for pointing that out. How are you liking your new S MN climate?
Delete1 extreme to the next!!! Derek, I think your turn is coming the next few days.
ReplyDeleteTim, did you say snowstorm?
DeleteWow! I pray the Holmquist family and all are safe!
ReplyDeleteS, I will follow up!
DeleteIt seems we are in a similar cycle as y'all except 9-14 days behind. Rain finally!
ReplyDeleteperpeKculzu2001 Jennifer Lewis link
ReplyDeletewebtgusbopo