Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Situation Report from Wisconsin Emergency Operations Center


Overview - A series of systems continue to move across the state bringing heavy rain, snow and freezing rain.  

Power Outages: Power outages due to fallen lines are reported across eastern Wisconsin. Outagamie County reported almost 13,000 customers had no power as of 10 a.m. Winnebago County reported about 4400 customers were without power. Appleton Public Schools were closed along with several other schools in the Appleton/Greenville area due to a lack of power. Appleton Medical Center facility began running on generator power at 6 a.m. Power has been restored there but officials closed various departments and appointments for the day.

Forecast: Another significant wave of precipitation is expected to develop this evening and continue thru Thursday. In some parts of Wisconsin, this will fall as freezing rain. The National Weather Service has issued an Ice Storm Warning for the west central region with up to 1/3 inch of ice expected.

A winter storm warning has been issued for northwest and west central Wisconsin where up to a foot of snow could occur in the next 24 hours. Snow will continue to move across the state. Winds will also be gusting up to 40 mph.

In addition to the freezing rain and snow, some areas could see another 1-3 inches of rain in the next 24 hours. Many areas across southern Wisconsin have already received between 2 to 3 inches of rain. Several counties are under a flood watch, flood warning or flash flood watch.

Flood Warnings: The combination of snowmelt runoff over the past few days and heavy rainfall yesterday and overnight has caused high water along several rivers. Flood Warnings have been issued for the following rivers:
  • Yellow River in Wood County
  • Baraboo River in Sauk County
  • Rock River in Jefferson and Rock Counties
  • Fox River in Racine and Kenosha Counties
  • Pecatonica River in LaFayette County
  • Milwaukee River in Ozaukee County
  • Root River in Milwaukee and Racine Counties
  • Sheboygan River in Sheboygan County
  • Sugar River in Rock and Green Counties
  • Crawfish River in Jefferson County
  • Black River in Jackson, Trempealeau and LaCrosse Counties
  • Kickapoo River in Crawford and Vernon Counties
  • Trempealeau River at Dodge, WI
  • Manitowoc River in Manitowoc County
  • Chippewa River in Buffalo and Pepin Counties
  • Eau Claire River in Eau Claire County
Wisconsin Emergency Management has 500,000 sandbags strategically place around Wisconsin and ready for delivery. Many county and tribal emergency management offices also have sandbags available. In Sheboygan County, 2,000 sandbags were delivered to Johnsonville Sausage to divert waters from the Sheboygan River away from the pump station serving the plant and immediate area.

The State Emergency Operations Center remains on the 24-hour duty officer system, which is level 4. The WEM Senior Duty Officer and the Duty Officer will continue to monitor the situation.