Logging Operations In Northern Wisconsin Sidelined By Flooding

Logging operations in northwestern Wisconsin nearly came to a standstill after storms over the weekend dumped up to 13 inches of rain. Flooding and washed out roads have left logging equipment stranded in the woods and has halted shipments of timber from getting to nearby mills.

Henry Schienebeck, executive director of the Great Lakes Timber Association, said members have been helping the state Department of Transportation assess damage and find alternative routes.

“We just need to sit tight; and in the meantime, we help them as much as we can, the department of transportation,” said Schienebeck.

Schienebeck said the local drivers and logging equipment operators have firsthand knowledge of the areas impacted by flooding, which is valuable to the DOT’s assessment efforts.

“Some of our folks are out looking at the routes they would typically take to get from the woods to the mill,” said Schienebeck. “They really understand how important it is to get the guys back to work as soon as possible.”

Schienebeck said roads are slowly being repaired and shipments of timber are picking up. He said local mills have enough timber to last a couple weeks.