FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ) – The recovery process is still on-going in Fond du Lac a week after extensive flooding shut down roads and evacuated many from their homes.
Last Thursday, the Fond du Lac River continued to rise due to ice jams, which wreaked havoc on the central part of the city.
One week later, Bobbi Hicken, with Fond du Lac County Emergency Management, says things are still far from normal.
“Things are never going to be the same,” explains Hicken. “But we want to get people in a better place as soon as possible.”
Some are still unable to return to their homes.
“We do have people that are still in the shelters, that are not able to safely go home,” she says. “So this is still completely impacting people.”
Fortunately, residents are pitching in any way they can.
“There was just a gentleman that came into the volunteer reception center that wasn’t able to volunteer, but dropped off a check,” says Hicken.
Volunteer efforts have come together in a number of different ways, with people donating money, talent, and time.
Hicken says most in the community are going out of their way to help the people around them, which can include clearing debris or opening their doors to them.
Many have made financial donations to help those impacted by the flooding, specifically people that are in need of long-term assistance.
“So if someone needs assistance with replacing their furnace, or appliances, or a vehicle, or something like that, there’s an application that they need to fill out,” she explains.
That application can be found online at the county website, as well as the city website.
Also, those impacted can call 2-1-1 to receive help.
City and county officials hope that they’ve already experienced the worst of what the season has to offer, but are aware that flooding can pop-up again.
“We are very early in the season,” she explains. “If you remember the great 2008 flood was in June, so there’s still [a] concern.”
