Powerful storms cause damage, flooding in Midwest

The Trempealeau River flooded in downtown Arcadia, Wis., Thursday, July 20, 2017. Several hundred people in the Trempealeau County city of Arcadia voluntarily evacuated flooded neighborhoods and the downtown area starting about 2:30 a.m., Mayor Robert Reichwein told The Associated Press. (Elizabeth Flores/Star Tribune via AP)
The Trempealeau River flooded in downtown Arcadia, Wis., Thursday, July 20, 2017. Several hundred people in the Trempealeau County city of Arcadia voluntarily evacuated flooded neighborhoods and the downtown area starting about 2:30 a.m., Mayor Robert Reichwein told The Associated Press. (Elizabeth Flores/Star Tribune via AP)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Several hundred people evacuated their homes early Thursday in the small western Wisconsin community of Arcadia as heavy rain sent a creek over its banks.

The waterlogged city was among those affected by more widespread storm damage and flooding in Wisconsin and Minnesota that closed roads and triggered mudslides. Thunderstorms in Iowa produced a possible tornado that caused heavy damage to buildings in a city near the Mississippi River.

In Wisconsin, several hundred people in the Trempealeau County city of Arcadia voluntarily evacuated flooded neighborhoods and the downtown area starting at about 2:30 a.m., Mayor Robert Reichwein told the Associated Press. The evacuation included the overnight shift at Ashley Furniture, a major manufacturer in Arcadia, a city of 2,900 people about 45 miles north of La Crosse.

Reichwein said Turton Creek overflowed its banks, also flooding the city's main thoroughfare, Highway 95. The Red Cross set up a shelter at a church for evacuees.

Elsewhere in Wisconsin, a mudslide closed part of Highway 95 near Fountain City. Numerous roads in Vernon and Buffalo counties were also affected by flooding.

In northern Iowa, powerful storms damaged homes, buildings and crop fields. The National Weather Service said wind gusts to 75 mph and heavy rain were reported Wednesday evening in several locations, and a tornado was reported 2 miles west-southwest of Fort Atkinson. No injuries were reported.

Residents and officials said trees and power lines were knocked down, leaving hundreds of people without electricity. Officials said the city of McGregor was particularly hard hit, sustaining damage to City Hall and several other structures downtown.

Authorities said a semitrailer was toppled on Interstate 35 near Hanlontown, and a man was taken to a hospital in Waukon after his barn blew over, pinning him inside.

In Minnesota, officials said mudslides or flooding have made parts of some highways impassable, including Interstate 90 and Highways 16, 26 and 61 in Winona and Houston counties. Forecasters said up to 7 inches of rain fell overnight.