Northern Wisconsin Storm Causes Major Damage

The storm that passed through part of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest early Thursday morning brought with it high winds and torrential rain that did major damage to the area.

Nearly 4 inches of rain were recorded in northern Wisconsin towns, and the National Weather Service said the highest recorded wind speed during the storm was a 62 mile-per-hour gust near Hayward. Even now, Xcel Energy is in its second day of trying to get electricity restored to people in Rice Lake, Park Falls and Hayward.

Park rangers are assessing damage to the 1.5 million-acre forest. Hilary Markin, the public affairs officer for the forest, said it will take weeks to fix.

In the meantime, recreational areas and main roads are closed until the debris and flooding is cleared. Markin said that includes Flambeau Trail system, which was flooded and has some downed trees.

“We’ve got engineers on site that are assessing what needs to be done,” she said.

Chris Giedel, a forester for the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, is assessing the damage in the Moose Lake area, 32 miles southeast of Hayward. He said that area has “mainly trees down on power lines and trees on buildings.”

Giedel said that straight-line winds and soil that was loosened from the rains created conditions in which trees were easily tipping over.

“We came upon an individual that was pulling a fifth-wheel trailer, and a tree came down in front of him then another tree fell down on his trailer,” said Giedel. “So he was pretty well stuck.”

Markin said that downed trees may be given to lumber companies to use as a resource, “so they don’t go to waste.”

Closed roads and trails will re-open when debris is cleared.