State of emergency declared in Wisconsin as communities battle flooding, tornado damage

(WTAQ-WLUK) — Gov. Tony Evers declared a state of emergency Wednesday in the wake of severe weather wreaking havoc across Wisconsin.

In Northeast Wisconsin, several rounds of intense storms Monday and Tuesday nights brought torrential rainfall, hail up to the size of tennis balls, strong winds, uprooted trees and power outages. All that precipitation has spurred dangerous flooding incidents throughout the region, resulting in washed out roads, rescues, submerged vehicles, near-failing dams and street and school closures.

Some communities in our area, including the entire village of Shiocton and parts of New London, Weyauwega and Fremont, have been evacuated.

And in southern Wisconsin, at least five tornadoes have been confirmed by the National Weather Service so far, with significant damage from these twisters reported.

“After severe storms that swept across the state and more still to come, it is critical that we ensure our communities have access to every available resource to help local folks and families in need and secure essential infrastructure,” said Evers in a news release. “We are grateful to all of the neighbors, emergency and first responders, local partners and volunteers who are already working to support each other, respond to damages, restore essential services and ensure that homes, buildings and other important structures are as secure as we prepare for more severe weather to come. I encourage Wisconsinites to be sure to stay alert, look out for your neighbors and take good care of each other as these storms continue moving across our state.”