Heavy rains trigger state of emergency in NW Wisconsin

States of emergency have been declared by Douglas County and the cities of Superior and Duluth, after four-to-nine inches of rain fell overnight and today. It’s the worst flooding to occur in the area in more than a century.

Officials are still barricading washed out roads, including major highways and a flooded interstate. Many homes are surrounded by water, some up to their windows. Superior Mayor Bruce Hagen says they’ve opened a shelter for people who can’t get into their homes.

He says he’ll ask for state and federal disaster declarations, but until that help comes, they’re on their own. “Neighbors will help neighbors, and we’re going to do all we can to help,” Hagen says. “It’ll be a long recovery. Getting rid of water is one thing, but assessing the damage that this has caused is another issue, an expensive issue. We’re going to have to pull together.

Although the worst of the rain is over, the National Weather Service has a flood warning in effect for the Duluth-Superior area until noon Friday. The major rivers in the area have not crested yet, and may cause more havoc.