Friday 8/31/18
31 August 2018 News
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
A Fond du Lac County official says residents have rallied to help their neighbors during recovery efforts from seven tornadoes that hit the area Tuesday. County Communications and Emergency Management Director Bobbi Hicken says a lot of people have downplayed their own needs to see to the needs of others. A Volunteer Reception Center was established at the Oakfield Town Hall and there is a shelter in Brandon for anyone who needs shelter while power is being restored. She says you can call 2-1-1 with questions and to report specific damage.
Alto Farmer Gets Help From Others Following Tornado Damage
Owners of nine dairy farms in Fond du Lac County have banded together to help Dick Wetzel, who owns the Wetzel Dairy farm in Alto. Six buildings that house some 700 head of cattle were destroyed in Tuesday’s tornadoes and the farmers have volunteered to take care of those cattle while the Wetzel’s rebuild. Dick Wetzel says, “We’ve had people who took off from work just to come and help us, some are farmers but they’re not all farmers.” Strangers began showing up at the farm on Wednesday, asking how to help. (Wisconsin Radio Network Story)
Federal Assistance Asked For In Storm Clean Up And Recovery
Some of Wisconsin’s Federal legislators are asking President Trump for support as Wisconsin cleans up and recovers from Tornadoes and Flooding. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin and Congressman Glenn Grothman and Ron Kind requested the support. Baldwin says, “Heavy rainfall and storms battered portions of eastern Wisconsin, including Ozaukee, Washington, and Fond du Lac counties, the last of which saw multiple tornadoes touch down. Severe damage has already been documented, including impassable roads and bridges, dam failures, downed phone lines, and crippling damage to local farms.” Senator Baldwin and Representatives Kind and Grothman requested additional assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for damage assessments, road and bridge repair assistance from the Department of Transportation, and farm and crop damage assistance from the Department of Agriculture.
Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative Works On Power Restoration After Storm
Restoration of power continued to be one of the focuses Thursday in the wake of storm recovery and clean up efforts in the area. Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative worked to restore power to 800 to 1,000 electric customers. Those homes were located in Adams and Marquette counties. Officials say 20 power poles were replaced and 30 additional poles were in need of replacement. Approximately 60 people from Adams-Columbia, other electric cooperatives, and a tree service were working 16-hour shifts since the storm began.
Highway Construction Projects Halted For Labor Day Weekend
State Transportation officials say to help accommodate traffic flow over the Labor Day weekend highway construction projects around the state will be temporarily halted. That being said drivers are still asked to be alert for work zones, lane restrictions and potential delays. Peak travel periods are expected to occur between noon and 8 today and at those same times on Monday. Due to recent flooding and the potential for more rainfall, motorists may encounter closed roads or road crews working to reopen flooded highways. Information regarding state highways impacted by flooding can be found on 511wi.gov.
State Highway 23 Reopens
It’s the news many drivers in Fond du Lac County have been waiting for the stretch of State Highway 23 between Rosendale and Fond du Lac has been reopened to traffic. It’s been under construction most of the last two months. The state’s Department of Transportation says resurfacing will continue until October, but the highway will be open using lane closures and flagging as needed. The road had been closed and detoured since July 9th.
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