The National Weather Service has issued flash flood warnings for Dunn, Pierce, Pepin, Eau Claire, Clark, Buffalo, Trempealeau and Jackson counties.

Skywarn 13 Meteorologist Ashley Baylor says the heavy rain stretches west back through the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. The rain will continue to fall across western Wisconsin throughout the overnight hours and could drop more than three inches before the system moves out in the early morning hours.

At 2:40 a.m. WEAU had gotten 1.55 inches of rain at the station. A weather spotter near Independence in Trempealeau County reported in excess of 3 inches of rain since 11 p.m. As of 2 a.m, an observer in Prescott reported 4 inches of rain.

Stay tuned to WEAU 13 News for severe weather cut-ins overnight, check back here at weau.com or watch our 24/7 weather channel on digital channel 13.2 or on Charter Cable channel 247.

From the National Weather Service:

At 158 am...National weather service Doppler radar indicated slow moving thunderstorms with very heavy rainfall across the warned area and estimated that 3 inches of rain has fallen during the past 3 hours over much of the area.

Runoff from this excessive rainfall will cause flash flooding to occur. Some locations that will experience flooding include Durand, Eau Claire, Ellsworth, River Falls, Altoona, Arkansaw, Bay City, Beldenville, Brackett, Caryville, Diamond Bluff, Eau Galle, Ella, Elmwood and Esdaile.

Precautionary/preparedness actions:

Additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 3 inches are possible in the warned area through 6 a.m. Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses
as well as other drainage areas and low lying spots.

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding. If flash flooding is observed act quickly, do not enter the water. Turn around and move up to higher ground to escape flood waters. Do not stay in areas subject to flooding when water begins rising.