(WLUK) — Flash flood emergencies were issued for Manawa in Waupaca County and Appleton in Outagamie County as thunderstorms moved through the area Friday.
Residents of Manawa were evacuated after heavy rains in the middle of the day caused flash flooding in that area, as well as other areas in the region. By 5:30 p.m., residents were allowed to return to their homes.
Concerns have also been raised about the stability of the Manawa Dam after operators reported an imminent dam failure.
However, at a news conference Friday afternoon, city officials struck a more optimistic tone.
Manawa Police Chief Jason Severson said: “I estimate that there’s about a 15-metre wide area that’s been eroded around the dam. So the state inspectors have assessed the bridge as safe and they’ll be keeping an eye on it to make sure there’s not other things that come along that could compromise it, but they’re very confident in the bridge. But that whole assessment will be done in the coming days.”
Heavy rains and damage to the dam forced city officials to close the town, barring anyone from entering. Residents were either evacuated or encouraged to shelter in place.
“I’m kind of at the upper end of the dam, but for safety we were told to just get out and get to safety. And I think at that point 30 feet of the dam broke,” said Wendy Wendt, a Manawa resident.
Shelters have been set up at the Manawa Masonic Center (520 N. Bridge Street) and Little Wolf High School (515 E. 4th Street) for those affected by the evacuations.
Residents of the Manawa Community Living Centre are evacuated to the King’s Veteran’s Home. The Midwest Rodeo in Manawa is also cancelled due to flooding.
Heavy rains also fell Friday afternoon in Outagamie County. Streets were flooded, yards were under water and water was rushing into places where it normally wouldn’t be.
Things were so bad that at one point the Appleton Police Department sent out an emergency alert asking people to stay home and off the road.
“I was halfway there and my car stopped and the water, and I opened the door, and the water was up to my height and I was like, ‘Oh, I don’t know what to do,’” said Faith Brozewski of Freedom.
Standing water filled yards and streets, stranding some motorists on the city’s north side, including Brozewski.
She said: “People were standing outside and coming out of their houses to look at this lady, she was in a kayak and was paddling with her hands to the car, and she asked me if I needed help and if I wanted her to drive me across the street.”
Similar scenarios also occurred in New London, where heavy rains flooded gardens and parks, forcing the closure of sometimes impassable roads. But as soon as the water rose, it receded.
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