Rising water in North Shore causes some to take precautions



NORTH SHORE (WITI) -- In Thiensville, with all the rain this week -- and more to come, there are concerns about the rising level of the Milwaukee River -- and that's not the only spot where the water is high.

Rain in Cedarburg on Wednesday, April 10th turned the typically tame Cedar Creek into more of a rushing river.

"Normally it’s about half as wide and barely flowing and you can easily walk across it," Craig Dorfler said.

Dorfler took his son Joey to Cedar Creek Park to check out the transformation of their favorite fishing spot.

"This is the highest I’ve seen it in probably four or five years," Dorfler said.

Ozaukee County Emergency Management officials are monitoring Cedar Creek -- paying special attention to where its water flows south into the Milwaukee River.

In Thiensville, the river has overflowed its banks, creeping into Village Park and overtaking a parking lot. Its powerful current could be seen from the window of Fiddleheads Coffee.

Outside, employees stacked sandbags on Wednesday.

"It’s not gonna hold back everything, but at least it will slow the flow a little bit," Mike Wroblewski said.

It is a precaution the cafe has taken before.

"We’ve had some big bigger floods, one in 2004 and one in 2008," Wroblewski said.

In Saukville, high waters shut down Riverside Drive -- though some drivers chose to risk it.

"They don’t follow the signs. Even though the road is closed, they still try to go through it," Paul Krauska said.

Krauska predicts by Thursday morning, he will be helping with river rescues.

"We’re bound to have tow truck come and pull somebody out," Krauska said.

If you're worried about flooding, check with your village or city to see whether sand bags are available.

Meanwhile, officials say rising water is very dangerous -- as currents and depths can be deceiving.