Already flooded Milwaukee River expected to rise

THIENSVILLE, Wis. (CBS 58) – Flooding continues in Ozaukee County and it’s not over yet. The already flooded Milwaukee River is expected to rise.

The Milwaukee River is over 12 feet Wednesday and will climb to over 13 feet Thursday into Friday. Ozaukee County families headed to a local coffee shop alongside the Milwaukee River to look at the flooded area. The owner of the Fiddleheads Coffee in Thiensville is hopeful his business alongside the river is safe.

“We are still Fiddleheads on the river, not Fiddleheads in the River,” Owner Mike Wroblewski said.

The water is reaching their storage area, but not the actual coffee shop. The business says they don't think the flooding will impact business, but they prepared, just in case by lining sandbags alongside their shop.

“Yesterday the forecast was for a lot more rain so we decided to bag more up and we got through last night so we are taking it day by day,” Wroblewski said.

Nearby homeowners in Mequon are dealing with flood waters. Local plumbing companies said this week has been busy and it’s not over yet.

“Last few days have been hectic,” Owner of Budiac Plumbing, Larry Budiac said. “We're still getting calls along the river.”

Mequon Resident Tom Lemke has been helping his neighbors rescue their cars and boats over the last couple days, as water still surrounds homes. But, one concern from homeowners Wednesday is the curious people driving through blocked streets and creating waves in flooded areas.

“People driving their trucks through this water here could mean the difference between someone losing their carpets,” Lemke said. “The road says closed. Leave it to the locals and show us that respect.”

The Milwaukee River is expected to stay flooded until Sunday.