Menominee and Oconto counties are among the 10 counties impacted by Gov. Tony Evers’ executive order declaring a state of emergency following strong storms that produced damaging tornadoes, high winds, hail, heavy rain and thunderstorms across Wisconsin.
Evers signed the order June 28.
“Communities across our state have been affected by the impacts of severe weather in recent days, including storms and flooding, that have endangered the lives and livelihoods of Wisconsinites across our state,” Evers said. “We want to make sure folks and communities are safe, healthy and have the support they need to recover quickly and that we can get relief to those impacted.”
The governor’s declaration came after several rounds of storms swept through the state June 21-25, causing widespread tree and structural damage, road washouts, power outages and flooding.
The National Weather Service confirmed that 10 tornadoes occurred in nine counties. The counties were Dane, Grant, Jefferson, Lafayette, Kenosha, Menominee, Oconto, Rock and Walworth counties.
National Weather Service officials said a tornado was on the ground for five minutes and traveled 8.9 miles from Keshena in Menominee County to Berry Lake in Oconto County.
Some areas of the state saw 5-6 inches of rain, which led to flooding.
Wisconsin Emergency Management, a division of the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs, has been working with counties to assess damage and determine resources needed to speed recovery efforts. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is assessing damage to state park properties.
Evers’ declaration allows the acting adjutant general of the Wisconsin National Guard to call soldiers to active duty to assist civil authorities in response and recovery efforts, as well as providing security and other essential services.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
Governor declares state of emergency following storms
