Schools in Marion and Clintonville closed April 14 to be used as emergency shelters for residents affected by flooding.
Marion Elementary School will have no school, and Marion Junior/Senior High School will have a virtual learning day. Marion Elementary School is serving as a community emergency shelter for anyone in need of a safe place to evacuate.
Also, Clintonville public and private schools will be used as evacuation facilities for the public. Staff were told to report to work as normal and use the day as a work day.
Residents should avoid parking on the south side of the high school to keep the area clear for emergency personnel.
Many roads are washed out or impassable.
Shawano city officials announced East Richmond Street from Airport Road to Rusch Road is closed.
As water continues to rise and with more rain in the forecast, this situation is ongoing and ever changing.
As of this time, the rec center and child care center remain open.
Clintonville police report many roads closed to due to flooding, and residents are told to avoid traveling if possible.
Many areas continue to be under flood warnings issued by the National Weather Service.
Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring.
Between 2 and 6 inches of rain have already fallen. Road closures have been reported near Marion.
According to the NWS, some locations that will experience flooding include Shawano, Clintonville, Embarrass, Navarino Wildlife Area, Belle Plaine, Bonduel, Marion, Pella, Tigerton, Bear Creek, Big Falls, Buckbee, Caroline, Leopolis, Split Rock, Adams Beach, Thornton, Deer Creek Wildlife Area and Whitcomb.
Coincidentally, this is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Wisconsin.
The Shawano County Office of Emergency Management reminds residents to have multiple ways to receive weather alerts, review emergency plans, know where to take shelter (lowest level, interior room) if necessary and charge phones and other electronic devices.
If storms move in, avoid unnecessary travel and give road crews and first responders space to do their jobs safely.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
The Clintonville High School cafeteria is open to the public for any displaced residents. The Main Street bridge is closed at this time, as high water levels have flooded many area streets. (Clintonville Fire Department)
Barricades warn people to stay off the sidewalk and dock at Sturgeon Park in Shawano as the high water levels of the Wolf River have flooded the area. (Kevin Passon | NEW Media)
The Shawano Dam on the Wolf River is wide open. High water levels have flooded the adjacent sidewalk and dock used by onlookers during the annual sturgeon spawning season, which has yet to begin this spring. (Kevin Passon | NEW Media)
