MADISON, Wis. -- Gov. Jim Doyle ordered a state of emergency for three counties in southwestern Wisconsin on Sunday after weekend thunderstorms dumped more than a foot of rain on parts of the state.

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The governor held a news conference at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday to address the severe flooding across southwestern Wisconsin, WISC-TV reported. The state of emergency was declared for Vernon, Crawford, and Richland counties. In addition, those three counties have also declared local states of emergency as well.

"Our No. 1 priority right now is to make sure that everybody is safe, and then to make sure that the infrastructure is strong," said Doyle. "Then, as we move forward, helping people make sure that they are able to get back into their homes and back to their regular lives."

Doyle also authorized activation of the Wisconsin National Guard if deemed necessary by Maj. Gen. Al Wilkening, the state's adjutant general.

"The armories in Richland Center, Viroqua and Prairie du Chien are open," said Wilkening. "We have equipment pre-positioned in some of those areas and we have great reach-back to our engineering resources, which are located up in the northern part of the state in the Chippewa Falls area, and some other areas that can rapidly deploy forward if needed by the local community."

Officials said that there's been up to 12 inches of rain on Saturday and into Sunday in southwestern Wisconsin, washing out roads and bridges and triggering a mudslide that pushed a house onto a highway. The governor's office said that there were reports of widespread flooding in Crawford, Richland, La Crosse, Vernon and Grant counties this weekend.

According to a news release, Doyle has also ordered the Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) to lead the state's emergency response efforts to the flooding and is directing all state agencies to assist with local communities as they recover.

Wisconsin Emergency Management spokeswoman Lori Getter said that there are no reports of injuries in the area, which includes Crawford, Richland, La Crosse, Vernon and Grant counties.

Getter said that numerous roads and bridges are washed out and closed.

Crawford County

In Gays Mills in Crawford County, officials said that anywhere from 7 to 9 inches of rain fell and two mudslides have been reported.

The Midwest Rescue Team was doing a recovery effort and has completely evacuated the towns of Gays Mills and Soldiers Grove.

Gays Mills residents have been sent to North Crawford School, in Soldiers Grove where a Red Cross Shelter has been set up, WISC-TV reported.

Officials said that about 200 homes were flooded in Gays Mills and there was one report of an injury there during the rescue effort. Authorities said that no major injuries have been reported and rescue crews were out in boats doing damage assessments.

In Soldiers Grove, officials have evacuated a nursing home with 66 elderly people living there. All are reported safe, WISC-TV reported.

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Vernon County

Getter said that a mudslide pushed a house onto state Highway 35 in Vernon County.

She said that authorities have been pulling people out of stalled cars, and evacuating them out of their homes. She said the Wisconsin National Guard is on standby.

Richland County

Getter said the Pine Valley West Nursing Home in the Richland Center area was evacuated, and its 18 patients transported to another nursing home in the area.

The Red Cross has opened shelters at Viroqua High School in Viroqua and at Richland Center Middle School. The residents of approximately 50 to 100 apartments in Richland Center are being evacuated to the shelter, WISC-TV reported.

Richland County has suffered an estimated $3 million dollars in damages so far, according to a preliminary estimate. Officials said thtat total is expected to rise.

Dams Have Potential To Fail

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is monitoring seven Vernon County dams.

Officials said that there is concern that the Runge Hollow, Seas Branch, Duck Egg, Raaum, Clockmaker, Hidden Valley and Primmer dams could erode, adding to the flood damage.

Primmer Dam is located at the intersection of State Highway 56 and Maple Dale Road.

Hidden Valley Dam near Avalanche was being watched after a citizen reported its emergency spillway was flowing.

Vernon County Emergency Management officials are advising all people to stay out of the area for their own safety. Traffic will be rerouted around the area.

Highways 14 and 61 are closed in various locations.

Larry Reed, the officer in charge of the Wisconsin Emergency Operations Center, said that some residents near those dams have already been evacuated from their homes.

The state emergency management spokeswoman said that five cars of a 65-car train sitting on tracks a half mile south of Goose Island derailed and the area around the derailment was evacuated.

Dane County Reports Flooding

According to Dane County officials, the village of Dane reported 8 inches of water over Highway 113.

The village of Oregon has had multiple reports of residential flooding and is supporting sand-bagging operations.

Officials said that American Red Cross-Badger Chapter damage assessment team is operating in the area and the Salvation Army is feeding first-responders.

Officials said that the village of Mazomanie is supporting sand-bagging operations, there is low-lying flooding in the Town of Windsor, and there are many trees and other debris blocking roads in southwestern Dane County.

Dane County Highway has cleared many of the blocked roads with plans to remove the debris on Monday, according to a news release.

Officials also said that the main entrance to Token Creek Park is closed due to water over the road and that many roads throughout Dane County have been covered or impacted by high water. Highway 19 near Portage Road and Highway 69 near Sunset Road have been closed due to water over the road.

Authorities are cautioning motorists who see flooding on the streets to turn around instead of attempting to drive through the water.

FEMA To Visit Southwestern Wisconsin

Doyle said that a representative from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would tour the flooded areas on Sunday afternoon. Doyle also said it's too early to put a dollar figure on the damage, adding that emergency responders were still very much "in the middle" of the devastation.

More Rain Coming

The National Weather Service said that at least an additional 1 to 3 inches of rain is forecast in southwestern Wisconsin.

Meteorologist Tom Zajdel said the Crawford County area is expected to get rain every day through Friday.

But even a little rain now could have a major impact, since the ground is already saturated, WISC-TV reported.

For the latest weather information, visit Channel 3000's Weather section.

Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage.