Severe weather: Gov. Evers issues State of Emergency for Wisconsin
MILWAUKEE - Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order No. 128 declaring a statewide State of Emergency following widespread severe storms affecting several regions of the state.
Storms caused widespread damage, downed trees and power lines, power outages, and road closures due to debris Wednesday night, July 28 into Thursday morning, July 29.
"Last night's storms affected communities from the Mississippi River to Lake Michigan, leaving many regions with widespread damage," said Gov. Evers. "Wisconsinites are resilient, and I know first responders, utilities, and many across our state are working to respond today. I'm declaring a State of Emergency this morning to ensure state resources are available as we work together to get communities the support and help they need."
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Gov. Evers’ executive order directs state agencies to help those affected by the storms. It also allows the Wisconsin National Guard to be called to active duty, as the adjutant general deems necessary, to provide assistance supporting local authorities with their recovery efforts.
The severe weather stretched from the Mississippi River to Lake Michigan and began Wednesday evening in northwestern Wisconsin. By 2 a.m. Thursday, the numerous tornado warnings around the state had expired.
The weather service on Wednesday warned that the severe weather sweeping across upper Midwest states could include hurricane-force winds and tornadoes and develop into a derecho — a rare type of storm that's often described as an inland hurricane. A determination on whether the storm could be classified as a derecho would come later.
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