Gov. Tony Evers has declared a state of emergency for four northeastern Wisconsin counties due to flooding. The affected counties are Calumet, Outagamie, Waupaca, and Winnebago. Heavy rainfall last week led to flooding and evacuations in Appleton and Manawa on July 5. Waupaca County saw between four to six inches of rain, with 5.7 inches in Manawa, causing a breach in a dam along the Little Wolf River, forcing residents to leave their homes temporarily. Roads were damaged, and many residents had flooded basements.
Evers stated, “Communities in Northeastern Wisconsin are still recovering from abrupt flooding that endangered lives and damaged infrastructure.” The focus is on providing support to rebuild and recover swiftly. Wisconsin Emergency Management is collaborating with counties to assess damage and determine resources needed for a quick recovery. The Department of Health Services is monitoring nursing homes post-flooding.
Under Evers’ order, the state agency can cover exceptional costs, including repairs, incurred when facilities like nursing homes are evacuated. The aim is to provide relief and aid impacted individuals and communities in their recovery efforts.
