WHITELAW, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Areas in Manitowoc County are still cleaning up from Sunday night storms.
Main streets were partially underwater.
One gas station had water almost up to the pumps.
When Alaina Luckow got to work Monday morning she was surprised at how close the water made to Weber’s of Whitelaw BP.
“It was almost up to our pumps. People were trying to get through, but they couldn’t. They’re trying to find a way through, trying to get through the back streets,” said Alaina Luckow, Weber’s of Whitelaw Store Clerk.
Not far away, a small vehicle wasn’t going anywhere.
“There was one car, that went through at sort of a high rate of speed, and he slid off the pavement part, and into the construction part. And he needed a wrecker to get the car out,” said Eugene Schneider, Whitelaw Village President.
Some may consider it somewhat ironic the flood happened in a construction zone. Village leaders say improvements are being made to the storm system.
“We had approximately four, four and a half inches of rain, and it came all in a short period of time. So really because of the construction, that the water wasn’t able to get away quick enough, so there was some flooding yes,” said Schneider.
By mid-morning, the three-block-long flood zone was starting to dry out. Crews pumped water down U.S. 10, and north on Cherry Street.
“But this is quite common for the town. That’s why they’re redoing all the sewer lines,” said Scott Gauthier, Whitelaw.
“We just hope that everybody has patience. When you have any type of construction, you do run into obstacles that you don’t foresee,” said Schneider.
Until the water is gone, Alaina Luckow says gas station customers are making the best of it.
“They come in and they comment on the water and say oh, you got some fish in that pond out front?” she asked.
The storm sewer construction project is in its second month.
Depending on the weather, work could resume Tuesday or Wednesday.
The improvements are expected to be completed in September.
