MANAWA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Governor Tony Evers’ state of emergency declaration in four Northeast Wisconsin counties means more help is on the way for Manawa.
It has been a week since the heavy rainfall and flooding that caused a dam in Manawa to erode.
The disaster declaration from Evers calls for the mobilization of state agencies to assist those within the counties amid the recovery efforts.
It affects Calumet, Outagamie, Waupaca and Winnebago Counties.
Manawa Mayor Mike Frazier tells FOX 11 the government will be assessing the dam.
“I think the feds will be more involved with the dam project, and the DNR, of course, they have a lot to say in that.”
He also explained that the declaration will be a welcome helping hand.
“Awesome. Small communities, as well as even Appleton and the rest of the counties, it really helps us all out,” he explained. “Either grants can be applied or low interest loans, so that just is a huge sigh of relief from the financial side.”
Frazier added that trees along the dam were cut down to avoid potential uprooting and damage to piers down the river.
Manawa County Living Center had to be evacuated during the rainfall.
Philip Castleberg of the Manawa Community Living Center says while the declaration is good news, the center will still have to manage clean up efforts on its own.
“As far as individual facilities or entities, I think we still have to deal with our own particular issues, whatever that might be,” he explained.
Castleberg says they’re still on track to welcome residents back by the middle of next week. “We are anticipating that we will be bringing all the residents back at the latest Wednesday of this coming week.”
A clean up event is scheduled for Saturday morning at Little Wolf High School, and Frazier says any help is appreciated.
“They are more than willing to help, and if you happen to have a truck and trailer, just that would be absolutely awesome.”
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