Assessments of flood damage also are continuing in parts of east-central and northeastern Minnesota, which also were hit by rainfall in excess of 8-10 inches a week ago. The rain sent creeks and rivers out of their banks, and caused damage to highways, local roads and some homes.
Wisconsin emergency management officials reported Monday receiving preliminary estimates of nearly $29 million in public infrastructure damage from eight counties, as well as the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
That total includes more than $11.5 million in Iron County — where the campground and marina at Saxon Harbor were devastated by floodwaters — as well as more than $5.8 million in Ashland County, more than $5.4 million in Bayfield County and more than $3.4 million on the Bad River Reservation.
Damage to homes and businesses across those jurisdictions is estimated at nearly $1.8 million so far. The Bad River band reported the most serious damage, with 10 homes destroyed by floodwaters and two others sustaining major damage.
Bayfield County reported 10 homes with major damage and 20 others with some effects from flooding; Ashland County reported two with major damage and 140 others at least affected; and Sawyer County reported 112 with minor damage or affected by the storms.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has requested that the Federal Emergency Management Agency conduct a preliminary damage assessment, starting next week, to determine if the state should request a federal disaster declaration; state officials said that's the first step toward requesting federal disaster assistance.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is being assisted by eight teams of Wisconsin Army National Guard engineers in assessing flood-damaged roads.
"Local authorities requested the Guard and DOT to assess damaged town roads in rural and isolated areas where local resources are limited," state officials reported Monday.
Work continued Monday to fully reopen U.S. Highway 2 between Ashland and Hurley. The road is open to car and light truck traffic using a detour around a washout near Odanah, but semi traffic still is being directed to use a lengthy detour. Repair work on Highway 2 is slated to be finished Friday.
Meanwhile, U.S. Highway 63 remains closed near Grand View, and State Highway 13 is closed near Highbridge; detours are in place for what officials have said will be long-term closures because of major washouts.
In Iron County, state officials reported, "based on new sonar information from the U.S. Coast Guard, a dive team will arrive in Saxon Harbor (Tuesday) in an attempt to locate and recover two boats and two vehicles still unaccounted for."
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest crews are making progress on reopening roads and trails damaged by flooding. Crews are working to clear or repair nearly 100 separate obstructions — such as damaged bridges and culverts, and washouts. A large-area closure has been lifted, and a new closure order is in place affecting individual areas.
Closures include the Beaver Lake, Lake Three, Mineral Lake and Namekagon campgrounds and the St. Peter's Dome/Morgan Falls area. Find the full list at fs.usda.gov/CNNF; click on the "Flash Flooding Affects Forest" link.
In other news:
The Bad River band will open a multi-agency resource center Tuesday and Wednesday to help connect residents with available resources. The center at 72772 Elm St. in Odanah will be open from 2-8 p.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday.
Douglas County is collecting flood damage reports from residents; call (715) 395-1636 during business hours.
Sawyer County ((715) 638-3355) and Washburn County ((715) 468-4601) also are collecting flood damage reports.
The American Red Cross has set up a dedicated phone line — (715) 563-6188 — for people whose homes have suffered damage from flooding.
Ashland County has established a disaster relief fund to cover long-term recovery efforts not covered by other funding sources. Donations can be made at Northern State Bank branches in Ashland, Mellen, Glidden or Butternut. For more information, call (715) 682-2772.
MINNESOTA
In Minnesota, where parts of Aitkin, Carlton and Pine counties saw flooding from last week's heavy rain, state officials still are working to determine if the damage qualifies for state disaster assistance.
All three counties have issued emergency declarations and completed initial damage assessments, which now are under state review.
Carlton County emergency management director Brian Belich said Monday that initial estimates are $480,000 in public infrastructure damage in the county — but that's not counting some jurisdictions where officials still have not been able to reach damaged areas because of high water.
At least eight homes in the county suffered measurable damage from flooding, with assessments still underway.
Carlton County is seeking state aid for infrastructure damage, Belich said, but so far has not qualified for state aid for homeowners. Residents with flood damage should contact Volunteer Services of Carlton County, (888) 419-1235.
The Pine County Sheriff's Office reported Monday that many county roads have reopened, but County Highway 61 near the dam in Willow River remained closed, along with Government Road between Sandstone and Hinckley.
Pine County officials asked that residents who suffered damage report it to (320) 591-1634 so the damage can be assessed.
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©2016 the Duluth News Tribune (Duluth, Minn.)
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