Situation Updates: Last Updated: Thurs. July 17 - 11:16 AM   Tax Extensions Storm and flood victims may qualify for a tax extension from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.  Click here for the details. The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA®) announced a $25,000 donation to be made to the American Red Cross today in order to assist in flood relief efforts throughout the state. Grant, Iowa, Sauk Juneau & Richland Counties have been declared for FEMA assistance.  In total Wisconsin residents have received $3.2 million in assistance in federal and state disaster assistance grants.  Officials continue to urge homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained storm and flood-related damage to register by calling 1-800-462-7585 or  registering online at www.fema.gov. Town of Spring Green Flood  Relief Center is open: Mon., Wed. and Fri. from 8:00 to 10:00am & 3:00 to 7:00pm at the Town Hall, E4411 Kennedy Road to distribute necessities including water, water test kits, cleanup Kits, clothing, bedding, and baby needs.  Contact Jerry Schmidt at 583-3014 or 604-0052 to set up an appointment if you are unable to make it at these times. The Emergency Operations Center has received two reports of home fuel oil leaking from tanks located in flooded basements. Homeowners who have leaking fuel oil should contact the Department of Natural Resources at phone numbers listed online here. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued nearly 6500 SBA low interest loan applications for Wisconsin home owners and businesses with more applications expected to be issued. Over 4,000 of the applications are from home owners. Click here for a fact sheet. Property owners with flooded historic homes or businesses can find useful information at here.  Further assistance for historical societies, museums and other cultural organizations may be found here. Emergency food assistance is available through the Dept. of Health and Family Services.   Residents have from Thursday, June 19 through Friday, June 27 to apply for food assistance. Applications and information can be found at here. The Wisconsin State Bar is offering a Disaster Legal Services Hotline: (877) 947-5291.  A trained legal assistant will help you locate the best source of help to resolve your legal problem.  More The state health department reports that 1,900 private well test kits have been distributed.  From the 43 results received so far, about half are considered unsafe due to bacteria.  Residents with private wells should contact their local health departments for test kits. Click here for contact information. Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available from FEMA for employees or business owners affected by flood and storm damage.  Call the Unemployment Insurance Division in Madison at 1-800-822-5246. Information for disposal or reuse of sandbags can be obtained by contacting a DNR waste management specialist. More

Disaster Response Resources

 

DONATIONS & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Please email Sen.Schultz@legis.wi.gov with information from your community.

UPDATED!

Spring Green

The Spring Green Knights of Columbus is hosting a fund raiser in Spring Green (at the north park) on Sunday August 31st for the residents of the River Valley area who have been affected by the recent flooding.  Events include a chicken dinner, kids games, a car rally and 13 hours of live music and possibly some girls softball games.

Public Libraries

To help those public libraries that also fell victim to the flooding, the South Central Library System (SCLS) has created a website where financial contributions can be made.  Visit the site here. 

Rock Springs

To volunteer in the community of Rock Springs, contact the fire department at 522-5900.  The St. John's Lutheran Church in Rock Springs is accepting donations of goods for flood victims.

Grant County

A disaster fund has been established for residents in Grant County who were affected by the June 2008 flooding events. Financial donations may be sent to: Grant County Disaster Fund, Citizen’s Bank, 302 S. Madison, Lancaster WI 53813. Donations will also be accepted at any Citizen’s Bank branch including Potosi , Dickeyville and Fennimore locations.

Bank of Prairie du Sac

The Bank of Prairie du Sac has established a fund to assist the American Red Cross help area residents affected by the flooding disaster. Send a contributions to 555 Park Avenue, Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin  53578 or call 643.3393 for more information.

Avoca Donations

Donations of food, water, gatorade, canned goods, personal care items, and money are being accepted at the Avoca Village Hall, 401 Wisconsin Ave. 

Reedsburg Donations

The Reedsburg Area Flood Team is stationed at Pineview Elementary.  They are accepting donations of cleaning supplies, flashlights, batteries, personal care items, baby supplies, bedding, water, gift cards, and track phone minutes.  Call 524-4322 for more information.

A fund has been established at The Reedsburg Bank for local disaster relief for our communities.  Financial donations or donations of items may be made at any of the Reedsburg Bank locations: 201 Main St., 500 Viking Dr., or Main St. in North Freedom

Wonewoc

Grateful Hearts family crisis centers provides goods such as clothing, baby items, furniture, shoes, coats, toys, books, videos, toilet paper, blankets, bedding small appliances, dishes, and beds.  They are located at the Valton Wesleyan Church, S896 Painted Forest Dr.  For hours and information call 608-464-7754.

Sauk County Emergency Management

SCEM has volunteers ready to assist individuals and communities with clean up efforts.  Call 608-355-3200 to request help. 

Peoples Community Bank

The Peoples Community Bank is taking donations for flood victims. A check can be sent to or dropped off at these locations:

MAZOMANIE 222 W. Commercial St. Mazomanie, WI 53560 608-795-2120 1-800-795-2151

BARNEVELD 101 S. Jones Street Barneveld, WI 53507 608-924-4611

PLAIN 1065 Main Street Plain, WI 53577 608-546-2810

SPRING GREEN 166 S. Lexington Street Spring Green, WI 53588 608-588-7959

 

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Residents in Crawford, Vernon, Iowa, Grant, Juneau, Sauk, and Richland Counties that sustained flood and/or tornado damage should register for federal disaster assistance.

To register you can visit a disaster recovery center open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Soldiers Grove North Crawford High School 47050 County X Soldiers Grove	Viroqua Living Faith Church 852 N. Main St. Viroqua	Reedsburg Reedsburg Middle School 707 Web Ave. Reedsburg
	Lancaster Youth Agriculture Center Lancaster Fairgrounds 916 E. Elm St. Lancaster, WI 53813

Call ahead first

Storm and flood victims who plan to visit a disaster recovery center should:

CALL: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
For the Speech and Hearing Impaired
TTY: 1-800-462-7585

Or apply online: www.fema.gov

FEMA crews will continue assessing private sector damage in additional counties this week, and begin assessing damage to public infrastructure next week.

When applying for help, be sure to have the following information available:

• Your current telephone number;
• Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you now are staying;
• Your Social Security number, if available;
• A general list of damages and losses you suffered;
• If insured, the name of your company or agent and your policy number;
• General financial information;
• Bank account coding if you wish to speed up your assistance with direct deposit.

What does a Disaster Recovery Center do?
Each center is a little different, but here’s what is available at the Reedsburg DRC: FEMA and Small Business Administration have set up shop, of course. So has the American Red Cross. Second Harvest has set up a food pantry. County Human Services is offering counseling services. Sauk County Zoning is helping people with permit applications. The IRS is handing out information on tax credits and claim forms for flood victims.

Also in the Reedsburg DRC: Sauk County Ag Extension, County Commission on Aging, County Public Health, Central WI Community Action Council, the Humane Society, and Project Recovery.

The Southern Baptist Disaster Relief is providing temporary child care for people visiting the DRC. And they are handing out teddy bears to children. A St. Clare Hospital nurse is talking about tetanus shots and may be giving them later in the week.

Elsewhere in Reedsburg, the US Coast Guard Auxiliary will be in the area to help with clean up later this week. First United Methodist Church is collecting clothes. HAM radio operators are working with the Sauk County EOC.

 

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To make a donation, please click here.

Distribution Sites - Central distribution points for enhanced clean-up materials will begin in a number of Wisconsin communities, with the arrival of several semi-trailers of shovels, rakes, gloves and more vital cleaning materials.  Locations are as follows:

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Aid for Businesses

SBA offers low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property. Visit the SBA site to learn more. 

For the self-employed, the following information may be helpful.  Click here

For arts organizations, the Americans for the Arts Emergency Relief Funds offers assistance. You must be a non-profit arts agency click here.

For dental offices or non-profits that provide dental services, here is some helpful information. Click here

FCEDC is offering low-interest loans up to $5,000 for small businesses affected by the flooding. More information and the application can be found here.

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Hiring a contractor:

Beware of these warning signs if you are hiring a contractor to make storm or flood damage repairs.  These tips are courtesy of the Mid-Wisconsin Home Builders Association.

• You’re told that on this job, a contract “won’t be necessary.”
• You’re asked to pay for the entire job “up front”—or pay cash to a salesperson instead of a check or money order to a company.
• You are confronted with scare tactics.
• You’re told you’ve been “chosen” as a demonstration project at a special, low price.
• You’re told a low price is good only if you sign a contract today.The contractor won’t give you references—or the references can’t be located.
• You can’t verify the contractor’s business address or if you ask for his Contractor Credentials, he cannot provide them. 

If a contractor you feel is not being up front has contacted you, please contact the Mid-Wisconsin Home Builders Association for a list of reliable contractors.  They can be reached at 608-742-1424.

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Transportation - Online Incident Alerts: http://dot.wi.gov/travel/incident-alerts.htm  

Phone: 1-800-ROADWIS

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Volunteer Opportunities:

Flood victims who need assistance or people who would like to help with the flooding response and recovery efforts should dial 2-1-1 to learn of local assistance programs or volunteer opportunities.

2-1-1 operators around the state are currently making referrals to organizations in the local community for individuals and families that are looking for help, including food, shelter, and water.  In addition, operators are also helping connect individuals who are looking to volunteer with the appropriate local organization or agency.

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Hydrological Report:

Visit the Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service to access rapidly changing flood stage information for your area. AHPS is a web-based suite of accurate and informative forecast products.  They display the magnitude and uncertainty of occurrence of floods or droughts, from hours to days and months, in advance.  National Weather Service also provides water levels and flood predictions:  Click here

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Insurance: Answers to storm damage questions:

Frequently Asked Questions: click here

From the State Insurance Commissioner's website you can access complaint forms that can be submitted by fax or mail. Click here

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Help for Farmers 

UW extension has assembled a page with resources for the agriculture sector.  Click here 

Reporting agricultural losses

Information about reporting agricultural crop losses due to flooding is available on the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection Web site at: www.datcp.state.wi.us/flood2008/index.jsp

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Emergency Management Offices:

WISCONSIN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 800-943-0003 http://emergencymanagement.wi.gov/

GRANT COUNTY Steve Braun, Grant County Emergency Government, Lancaster Office 608.723.7171, fax 608.723.5159, email: gcemds@pcii.net http://www.grantcountyem.com/

LAFAYETTE COUNTY John Reichling, Lafayette County Emergency Government, Darlington Office 608.776.4870, fax 608.776.4810, email: fjreichling@yahoo.com

JUNEAU COUNTY Gervase C. Thompson, Juneau County Emergency Government, Mauston Office 608.847.9393, fax 608.847.9501, email: emjuneau@co.juneau.wi.us

IOWA COUNTY Kenneth Palzkill, Iowa County Emergency Government, Dodgeville Office 608.935.0329, fax 608.935-3024, email: ken.palzkill@iowacounty.org

MONROE COUNTY Cynthia Engelke, Monroe County Emergency Government, Sparta Office 608.269.8711, fax 608.269.8985, email: cengelke@co.monroe.wi.us

SAUK COUNTY Jeff Jelinek, Sauk County Emergency Government, Baraboo Office 608.355.3200, fax 608.355.3299, email: jjelinek@co.sauk.wi.us;   http://www.co.sauk.wi.us/

RICHLAND COUNTY Darin Gudgeon, Richland County Emergency Government, Richland Center Office 608.647.8187, fax 608.647.7151, email: gudgeond@co.richland.wi.us; http://co.richland.wi.us/floodinfo/flood2008/index.html

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Resources:

Private water well owners:

http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/dwg/flood.htm

Flooding Health & Safety Tips:
http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/eh/DisasterHealthSafety/flooding.htm

Water Safety:
http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/eh/DisasterHealthSafety/WellDisinfection.htm

Reentering your home after utility service interruption:
http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/eh/DisasterHealthSafety/Reenteringhome.htm

Mold Danger:
Flooding creates an ideal environment for mold. State health officials are encouraging people to seek out reliable information when addressing mold growth in their homes or workplace. Follow the link for information available about mold at http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/eh/DisasterHealthSafety/flooding.htm#Future.

General Disaster Health and Safety Tips:

• Recovering from a Flood

• Food Safety 

• Utility Service Interruption

• If you must leave your home

• Portable Generator Hazards

Local Public Health Department listing
http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/localhealth/index.htm

Recovering from the Emotional Aftermath of a Disaster

http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/mh_bcmh/Disaster.htm