County in Wisconsin declares state of emergency

MUKWONAGO -- With an estimated $35 million so far in damages as a result of flooding, Waukesha County Executive Dan Vrakas declared a state of emergency Wednesday afternoon.

He made the announcement during a news conference attended by Gov. Jim Doyle and Mukwonago officials, held near the Mukwonago dam, which feeds Lake Phantom water into the Mukwonago River. Officials are worried the dam could fail because of high levels of water in the lake.

This preliminary number only includes estimated damages in 18 of the 37 municipalities in the county, Vrakas said. Damages in Waukesha are around $10 million, and figures from Brookfield have not come in, Vrakas said.

"Our numbers are approaching $35 million and we're not even halfway home," he said. "The numbers are definitely climbing, rising just like the waters rose over the last couple of days."

The state of emergency was prompted by the extreme conditions the county has endured after the intense rainfalls of this past weekend. Some areas have had more than 10 inches of rain. This resulted in road and bridge closures across the county. Waukesha Mayor Larry Nelson declared a state of emergency in the city on Monday, which is still in effect.

"Already we are looking forward at the future when we are going to start rebuilding from this event," Vrakas said. "(The state of emergency) will enable the full force of resources in Waukesha County. It will be an all-hands-on-deck response."

The declaration will allow Vrakas to suspend certain rules when providing relief and services to those suffering from the floodings. He gave as an example zoning ordinances concerning trailers, which might need to be brought in to house those displaced by the flooding.

Bush calls Doyle; FEMA on its way

Doyle said he received a call from President Bush Wednesday morning.

"He expressed his concern about what was happening in the state and he wanted to make sure (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) was responding adequately," Doyle said.

Doyle said FEMA assessors were expected to arrive in the state Wednesday night to begin looking at the damages, adding FEMA's response has been competent.

"I think there is no doubt that we meet standards for FEMA assistance," Doyle said, adding FEMA workers are moving at a quicker schedule.

Doyle said he has been traveling throughout the state, looking at all the affected areas, including those who suffered tremendously from last summer's storms.

Like the Mukwonago dam, others across the state are being monitored closely, Doyle said. Some areas, located downstream from the dam, were evacuated, he said. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources dam workers have been working nonstop monitoring the dams and taking appropriate measures to protect the public's safety, Doyle said.