A dam in a southeastern Wisconsin community has been breached and people living downriver were being evacuated, the National Weather Service said Friday.
The dam in Manawa along the Little Wolf River was breached at about 1:45 p.m. by floodwaters, said meteorologist Scott Cultice.
The city of Manawa said in a Facebook post on Friday afternoon that “first responders noticed land near the dam eroding, so evacuation downriver began.”
Several nursing homes were being evacuated as well. Those who couldn’t evacuate were told to shelter in place. Manawa was also under a boil water advisory due to the flooding.
The rains started about 8:30 a.m. Friday and about 5 inches fell in a few hours. A flash flood warning was issued for Manawa and other parts of Waupaca County.
“It just wouldn’t stop raining in and around the Manawa area,” Cultice said. “They had water rescues. Most of the downtown roads were flooded.”
“We just can’t get rid of the rain,” he added. “It’s just not moving, just stalling.”
Emergency shelters have been set up in a high school and a masonic center.
“Due to the amount of water the dam isn’t safe,” the Manawa Police Department said on its Facebook page.
All entrances to Manawa, about 55 miles west of Green Bay, have also been blocked, the city said on its Facebook page.
“Please do not try to drive into the city or around the city,” the post read. “Vehicles are being flooded on the roads around the city. Union Street is flooded. N. Bridge Street is flooded. Beech Street is washed away. Howard Street is flooded. Industrial Drive is flooded.”
“Because of the amount of rain we are receiving…there will be flooding in the streets and yards,” the post continued. “It is everywhere in the city.”
The weather service warns that the rain, and possibly thunderstorms, could occur through the weekend and into early next week.