The U.S.G.S. now forecasts the Rock River flood stage will be at 5.1-feet Thursday, July 24 at 7:00 a.m. The normal flood stage is at six-feet (6'), the moderate flood stage at seven-feet (7'), and major flood stage at eight-feet (8'). At 12:05 p.m. on Thursday, July 17, the water level was at 6.98-feet.

If you have questions for FEMA, they may be contacted at 1-800-621-3362 or you may access them on the internet by going to www.fema.gov.

Since the river has been receding at a good rate, residents, as well as businesses and industries, may resume their normal water use.

The City compost site has reopened for disposal of yard waste. The normal hours of operation are 3:00 p.m. to dusk on Wednesdays, and 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

The City has received numerous publications from the State Department of Consumer Protection and FEMA pertaining to health and safety, emergency home repairs, contractor alerts, information on mold, and other helpful pamphlets. These pamphlets will be available at City Hall (Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) as well as at the Fire Department.

The City will be posting updates on its website at www.fortatkinsonwi.net.

Sandbag clean up was held on Saturday, July 12. However, we are aware that there some sandbags that were not removed at that time. If property owners need to dispose of sandbags, please call City Hall (563-7760) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to make arrangements for disposal of those sandbags. The sandbags may not be placed in regular garbage or dumpsters for pickup. The former Thomas Industries site is still available for residents to dispose of sandbags for people who want to get rid of them before the City pickup.

A walk-thru in the flooded areas will take place on July 21, 2008, in order to determine if another volunteer effort will be needed.

Clean up kits, gloves, water, bug spray, snacks etc. can be picked up at the Public Assistant Centers at W5511 Collins Road, Jefferson (the property next to Family Dollar Store), as well as at 758 North Watertown Avenue, Jefferson (former Foerster Landscape property). The hours for those Centers are Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. These items are also available in the lobby of the Fort Atkinson Police Department, which is open 24-hours per day.

Dumpsters have been placed in specific flood affected areas. These dumpsters are only to be used for flood damaged furnishings, not sandbags. The dumpsters will be available until July 18, 2008.

Donations and Events

Now thru July 20th, Humphrey Floral will donate $1.00 for every rose sold to the flood victims.

Logo-Works has "Fort Atkinson Flood" Survivor t-shirts available to purchase...they will donate $2.00 for each shirt sold to the American Red Cross chapter of Jefferson County.

BADGER BANK - In response to numerous requests for ways to help area flood victims directly, The Badger Bank Trust Department has opened "Flood Relief Assistance" Accounts. The purpose of this is to collect cash donations from individuals or organizations wanting to contribute to the immediately local needs. Contributions can be designated for certain families or given for general relief. The funds given as general relief will supplement the overall city's flood recovery efforts as coordinated with the City of Fort Atkinson / City of Jefferson/ Town of Koshkonong Officials. Parameters of the "Flood Relief Assistance Accounts" are as follows: all money will stay local (within the community it is designated for) accounts will be managed by the Badger Bank Trust department accounts will be non - interest bearing donations will not be tax deductable - please donate to the American Red Cross for tax deductibility donations may be specified for a specific family or left as a general donation to the community all general donations will be held by Badger Bank and a committee (of Badger Bank officers as well as City Representatives) will convene to allocate such funds based upon gaps in the financial coverage of the overall municipality recovery process. Any general donations will not go to individual households but will be available to supplement the overall community need in the flood recovery efforts as decided by the committee Badger Bank will merely be the custodian and collection point for the funds. Separate accounts will be set up for the Jefferson residents and for the Fort Atkinson residents as well as for the Town of Koshkonong residents all dollars collected will be documented and if not specifically designated for an individual address or family, will be put into the general relief fund. Call (920) 563-2478 for more information. Donations may be made at any of the four Badger Bank locations (Jefferson, Fort Atkinson, Johnson Creek, Cambridge) or mailed to the Trust Department directly at: Badger Bank Trust Department; 220 Grant Street; Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 ATTN: flood relief. Badger Bank urges all area residents to also support the American Red Cross with donations to help state and national disaster victims.