Fond du Lac Flooded

Fond du Lac is the latest Wisconsin city to fall victim to flooding. It's a mess.

From the Fond du Lac Reporter:

Severe flooding forced many area residents to evacuate homes and left standing water in many locations throughout Fond du Lac County.

The Fond du Lac River rose quickly, cresting its banks in many places.

Local roadways became impassable shortly after 5:30 p.m. following several tornado warnings and heavy rainfalls. No tornadoes touched down within Fond du Lac County limits, but at least eight twisters were spotted in southern Wisconsin, said Rusty Kapela, a warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

Kapela estimated more than three inches of rain had fallen in Fond du Lac as of 8:30 p.m. Thursday night.

County Executive Allen Buechel on Thursday night declared a state of emergency for Fond du Lac County.

...Thunderstorms dumped more than four inches of rain on the area, sending residents scrambling for higher ground. The heavy rains Thursday came on the heels of more than six inches of rain the previous week. Many people were forced to evacuate their homes.

In the hardest hit areas, rains left at least two feet of standing water, said Fond du Lac Police Chief Tony Barthuly. Both the southeast and northeast parts of the city suffered the most damage, he said. No major injuries were reported.

Basements of at least 10 condominiums on Queens Way filled with water, forcing residents to evacuate. Elsewhere in the community, basement flooding was common.

...Motorists throughout the city were left stranded as the water rose. Navigating city streets became impossible in many areas of the community.

Rising waters from the river trapped nine people in the YMCA building, which was taking on water, at 9:52 p.m. Firefighters later evacuated those people and took them to the high school on a bus.

All available emergency personnel were called in to help with relief efforts.

Natural gas leaks were reported throughout the area as flooding knocked out furnaces and hot water heaters, Barthuly said.

I've never seen such widespread flooding in Wisconsin and so much devastation.

The response of emergency personnel, government officials, and residents to this massive disaster has been truly impressive. Neighbors are helping neighbors. Volunteers have worked long hours to assist strangers in need.

The horrible conditions have brought out the best in the good people of Wisconsin.

Cleanup and recovery will be a grueling and painful process. In the face of this mess, I admire the strength and spirit of the people.
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View photos of conditions in Fond du Lac.