At least 2 people have died in flooding caused by powerful storms in northern Wisconsin

Weather Service warns of flash flooding in northwestern Wisconsin

Weather Service warns of flash flooding in northwestern Wisconsin

LITCHFIELD, Minnesota — Authorities say at least two people have died in flooding caused by powerful storms that damaged homes, washed out roads and stranded motorists in northern Wisconsin and Minnesota.

In Wisconsin, Bayfield County sheriff's officials say an 84-year-old Illinois man died Tuesday, July 12th when his vehicle became submerged in a flooded ditch. A firefighter was able to rescue the man's wife, who was a passenger.

In nearby Iron County, the sheriff's department says a 56-year-old man from Montreal, Wisconsin, died in the flooding, but didn't immediately provide details.

Strong storms with torrential rains Monday, July 11th washed out sections of highways in northern Wisconsin and closed other roads.



The Ashland County Sheriff's Office urged against travel in the county because many local roads are flooded. Sections of U.S. Highway 2 and state Highway 13 south of Highbridge were closed Tuesday.

The National Weather Service said ongoing flooding was expected in northern Wisconsin with rivers and creeks continuing to rise over the next two days. Areas around Danbury to Minong, Hayward, Ashland and Hurley are expected to experience the most significant flooding.









Gov. Scott Walker declared a State of Emergency in eight Wisconsin counties on Tuesday in response to the flooding: Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Price, Sawyer, and Washburn.

Gov. Walker said the following in a statement:

Officials with the Wisconsin Emergency Operations Center issued this statement Thursday on the flooding:

As water begins to recede, officials in flood ravaged northern Wisconsin continue assessing the damage from the July 12th storms and the continued impact of those damages. Several counties have filed preliminary damage estimates while others continue to work on those estimates.

The State of Wisconsin Emergency Operations Center has launched a special webpage on ReadyWisconsin with the latest press releases and information on the flooding response and recovery efforts.

Here is a county by county breakdown of the latest information:

Ashland County- Road closures continue throughout the county. The re-opening of US Highway 2 is the number one priority. The Canadian National Railway between Ashland and Glidden is closed due to storm damage.

Bad River Tribe- Crews restored natural gas and electric power to tribal properties. Travel in and out of the reservation remains difficult. Ashland Fire Department created a route onto the reservation for emergency purposes only. Special shipments of food to the only store is being arranged.

Bayfield County- The marina in the town of Cornucopia is having problems getting fishing boats in and out due to a buildup of silt.

Burnett County- Preliminary damage estimate to roads, bridges and other costs are currently at $375,000.

Douglas County- Several families are sheltering in place in the Town of Summit. A culvert wash-out if preventing access to homes. The county is assisting those residents.

Iron County- Local and county officials are meeting with the U.S. Coast Guard to determine a damage estimate to the facilities at Saxon Harbor. Officials are also discussing a cleanup and repair plan to the harbor. The U.S. Coast Guard continues to patrol the area and monitor the stranded boats

Sawyer County- The Nelson Lake Dam IS NOT in danger of failing. County officials are reassuring the public that this information was a rumor only and not correct. Officials continue to monitor water levels in Hayward. Inmates from the Department of Corrections Gorden Correctional Facility are helping to fill sandbags through Saturday. Highway 63 in Hayward remains closed.

Numerous roads and highways are damaged and remain closed across the region. State and county engineers continue evaluating bridges and roads. Below are the major road closures:

Ashland County

US 2 is closed east of Odanah at Lake Road. Traffic detoured via US 51, WIS 77, WIS 13, WIS 77, US 63, and US 53.
US 2 is closed at Denomie Creek near Bad River in Odanah.
WIS 13 is closed between Mellen and Ashland. Use WIS 77, US 63 and US 53 and US 2 as alternative route.

Bayfield County

WIS 137 at Wipperfurth Road in Ashland between Sanborn Avenue and US 2 is now open.
US 63 is closed at Twentymile Creek near Grand View, north of Drummond. No official detour posted.
US 63 is closed near Bibon Swamp between Grand View and Mason. No official detour posted.

Burnett County

WIS 35 is closed north of Danbury at Riverside. Use WIS 77 and US 53 as alternative route.
WIS 77 is closed near Danubury. MnDOT has closed their bridge (MN 48/ WIS 77) west of Danbury.

Iron County

WIS 122 between US 2 and WIS 77 is now open.
WIS 122 closed north of US 2 to Michigan State Line. No official detour posted.
WIS 169 is closed between WIS 13 and US 2. No official detour posted.

Sawyer County

WIS 27 north of Hayward, off of WIS 77 near Smith Lake is now open.
WIS 63 is closed in Hayward. A local detour is signed.
WIS 27/ WIS 77 north of Hayward is open to traffic

Washburn County

WIS 77 at Oak Tree Drive to County Road G just east of Minong is now open.
WIS 77 at Old Bass Lake Road southwest of Minong is now open.
US 53 between Lampson and Minong has both lanes open.

Motorists are advised to drive with caution on all area roads and are reminded not to drive through standing water.

The State Emergency Operations Center is elevated to Level 2 with Wisconsin Emergency Management, Wisconsin National Guard, Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Wisconsin State Patrol, Wisconsin Department of Administration, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Wisconsin Department of Health Services. WEM Regional offices are on scene working with county emergency management agencies.