"A swimming pool:" 8 people, 2 dogs evacuated from Kenosha Co. mobile home park due to flooding



TOWN OF SOMERS -- Eight people and two dogs were evacuated from the Pleasant Prairie Mobile Home Park in the Town of Somers in Kenosha County due to severe flooding.

The mobile home park is located on 60th Street near 120th Avenue. The evacuation took place Wednesday, July 12th after heavy rain overnight.

Officials with the Kenosha County Sheriff's Department said the evacuation occurred as a result of flood waters from the Kilbourn Road Ditch, located adjacent to the park.

Pleasant Prairie Mobile Home Park



"Basically it's just a swimming pool. A flowing swimming pool," Christopher Mitchell said.

It was an overwhelming sight to wake up to for Mitchell and his family.

"One of the neighbors was beating on our door, telling us we needed to evacuate," Mitchell said.

Pleasant Prairie Mobile Home Park



Mitchell, his fiancee and her son were among the eight people forced to swim to safety.

"It was a strong current. My legs were getting weak toward the end. It was hard. I picked the dog up and she took Eric and put him on her back and we waded and walked through the water up to the street," Mitchell said.

Pleasant Prairie Mobile Home Park



Pleasant Prairie Mobile Home Park



Thirteen miles away in Trevor, those living along Center Lake were also trying to dry out.

"Continually through the morning it just rose and rose. A few hours ago it got into the house," Wendy Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald and her husband were able to move most of their furniture to the second floor before three inches of water crept up into the house. She said all of the floors on the first floor were ruined by the water.

Flooding in Trevor



"I didn't even anticipate that they would get as high as they are," Fitzgerald said.

Flooding in Trevor



Flooding in Trevor



At the mobile home park in the Town of Somers, We Energies officials were working Wednesday to restore power to the 36 trailers. Volunteers with the American Red Cross were also out there setting up a shelter for people to stay in overnight.

The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department Wednesday morning activated the Kenosha County Emergency Operations Center due to the heavy rainfall and severe flooding.

Kenosha County flooding



Highway 50 in Kenosha County was closed and will remain closed for "several days" due to the flooding impacting the Fox River. The opening of the roadway will depend on water levels decreasing. Detours will be posted for alternate routes.

As always, motorists are advised to drive with caution when traveling in impacted areas and are reminded to not drive through standing or flowing water. For up to date closures and detour information visit https://511wi.gov or follow @511WI on Twitter.

All Kenosha County residents or businesses that have sustained damage should report that damage to the Kenosha County Emergency Management Flood Hotline at 262-605-7924. Leave a message there in regards to the damage sustained. Damage can also be reported at the email address of disaster@kenoshacounty.org.

Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser reiterated in a news release how important it is for people, businesses and municipalities to report flood damage to Emergency Management to optimize the available state and federal resources.

"If you’re unsafe or feel unsafe and need to get out, call a friend or call law enforcement," Kreuser said. "Make sure you check on elderly and disabled friends and family. Call them – don’t drive there until it’s safe to travel."