41K without power as of Monday night following weekend storms



MILWAUKEE -- Officials with the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs on Monday evening, July 22 offered an update after severe storms that produced 10 tornadoes pushed through Wisconsin Friday, July 19 and Saturday, July 20. DMA officials said approximately 53,000 people remained without power as of about 6:30 p.m. Monday.

A Wisconsin Public Service spokesman issued this statement around 10 p.m. Monday:

"Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) and We Energies have restored a combined 243,000 customers impacted by this weekend’s destructive storms. Across the WPS network, approximately 146,000 customers have been restored, while We Energies has restored more than 97,000 customers in its Fox Valley network. Currently, about 31,000 WPS and 10,000 We Energies Fox Valley customers are without power.

Crews from both energy companies continue to work around the clock to make repairs and restore power to all customers who have been affected by the severe storms."


Governor Tony Evers toured Langlade and Oconto counties Monday, meeting with local officials and viewing damage caused by the severe weather. On Sunday, Governor Evers declared a statewide state of emergency and directed state agencies and the Wisconsin National Guard to provide assistance if needed.

Utility crews continued to work hard to restore power, and it was anticipated all power would be restored by midweek.

The Wisconsin National Guard activated two dozen personnel Monday to deliver potable water to distribution points in Langlade County.

The Red Cross was working with local emergency management in continuing to operate reception centers where people could get food, water, and other supplies om Balsam Lake, Rosholt, Gresham, Koshena, Neopit, and Mishicot.

LOCAL EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTERS OPEN

Langlade County
Oconto County
Portage County
Menominee Nation
Menominee County
Outagamie County
Wood County

LOCAL EMERGENCY DECLARATIONS

Clark County
Oconto County – July 20, 2019
Menominee County – July 22, 2019
Menominee Nation – July 22, 2019
Polk County – July 22, 2019
Langlade County – July 22, 2019
Ojibwa Nation – July 22, 2019
Sawyer County – July 22, 2019
Town of Enterprise – Oneida County – July 22, 2019
Town of Ojibwa – Sawyer County – July 22, 2019
Town of Schoepke – Oneida County – July 22, 2019
Town of Rock – Wood County – July 22, 2019
Vernon County – July 19, 2019

ESTIMATED PUBLIC DAMAGES

Unknown. Damage assessments ongoing.

ESTIMATED PRIVATE DAMAGES

Unknown. Damage assessments ongoing.

COUNTY/TRIBAL STATUS REPORTS

East Central

Manitowoc County
WPS is reporting outages are down to approximately 1,500 customers, most of which remain in the Mishicot area. The Red Cross Reception Center remains open until 8 p.m. and we plan to assess whether it will be open Tuesday based on the outage status Monday evening.

Waupaca County
Damage assessment crews were deployed Monday.

Northeast

Langlade County
Areas of White Lake, Post Lake, and Elcho are heavily damaged. Additional resource requests include; bulk potable and non‐potable water delivery and distribution, temporary showers, debris management assistance.

Menominee County
Some areas have had power restored, but there are still residents affected. Red Cross has locations open to provide residents with bathroom/shower access and power for charging phones.

Oconto County
All State and County roads are open.  They are starting damage assessments.

Oneida County
The Town of Schoepke and Enterprise declared a Disaster Proclamation for their respective towns. Clean up continues in both townships.

Portage County
Portage County opened EOC on Sunday and it remains open.

Wood County
Town of Rock has declared a disaster.

Northwest

Bayfield County
Bayfield County had minimal impact from the recent storms. Pigeon Lake in Drummond continues to rise. Some homeowners are having to pump basements.

Sawyer County
The Town of Ojibwa declared a disaster declaration. Debris is still being cleared throughout the county.   Some cabins and homes have minor damage to roofs.

Vernon County
Damage assessments are underway.  Heavy rains last week resulted in flash floods.

Tribes

Lac Courte Oreilles Nation
Most of the downed trees over roadways have been cleared from roadways. Xcel Energy is working on power restoration.

Menominee Nation
Some areas have been restored with electricity. There are still many without power and residents are asking for assistance with food and water supplies. Menominee Tribe and County are working together to provide resources.

Oneida Nation
Department of Public Works, Conservation and Forestry is working together to provide assistance dealing with trees debris and other debris from the storm.

West Central

Clark County
Crews continue to clear downed trees and power lines. Damage assessment is ongoing.

Jackson County
NWS confirmed an EF0 tornado in the southeastern part of Jackson County. Damage confined to corn fields and trees.

STATE AGENCY RESPONSE

WI Department of Health Services:

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Medicaid Services is sending out a CARES Coordinator Notice that will remind affected areas of the policy for providing replacement FoodShare benefits to individuals whose FoodShare purchased food was destroyed due to the power outages.

WI Department of Natural Resources:
DNR Forestry Division is contacting chainsaw crews for cleanup. Teams will work directly with WEM regional director for specific assignments. Hazardous waste handling guidelines will be made available.

VOLUNTEER AGENCY (VOAD) RESPONSE

American Red Cross
Providing support for numerous reception centers listed above. Opened approximately six cases, two in Barron County, one in Polk County, one in La Crosse County, one in Wood County. Fund development staff is working to procure donations of bottled water. Providing clean up kits to Outagamie County reception centers due to some water in basements.

Provided 480 Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) to Menominee County.

Salvation Army
Dropped off water to Wood County. Reports from Salvation Army field staff are still pending.

Team Rubicon
Met with Langlade County Monday to assist with damage assessments and potential mobilization of chainsaw crews.

2-1-1 Wisconsin
211 Wisconsin is collecting damage reports and referring callers to available disaster resources.

WEATHER CONDITIONS

There is another chance for isolated showers Tuesday, afternoon, July 23 across eastern Wisconsin in association with the lake breeze.  The next chance for rain is a threat for isolated showers and thunderstorms across northeastern Wisconsin Wednesday afternoon.  No severe weather is expected.

RIVER FLOODING

Moderate Flooding:
Kickapoo River at Gays Mill: Currently cresting.
Kickapoo River at Stueben: Crest near 14.0 feet Tuesday.