SHIOCTON, WI (WTAQ) – The Wolf River is known for reaching water levels that cause flooding in the Spring, but even with warming temperatures and melting snow, emergency officials say it is not time to act just yet.
Shiocton is one area prone to flood waters from the Wolf River, but Fire Chief Butch Bunnell says they are not ready to respond until it starts to rain more and waters rise.
“It has to reach a certain level before we can take any action, otherwise you just sit and watch it.”
Shiocton Fire Chief Butch Bunnell says they are not quite in response mode, but they will start sandbag preparations this week.
“I am going to get some bags up because some residents are going to want them soon.”
Other areas along the Wolf River tend to reach flood stage before Shiocton.
Bunnell says that is one way they know when it is time to respond.
“We have low areas that we know where to look and when the water reaches those areas we start talking about it,” he says. “We watch what is going on up North. We watch areas like the Shawano Dam.”
He says melting snow itself will likely not be enough to put the Wolf River above flood stage, but rain mixed in could cause a quick rise.
Most of the Shiocton area residents that live along the Wolf River expect and prepare for flooding.
