Emergency responders in Manawa, Wisconsin sprang into action on Friday, rescuing individuals stranded on flooded roads as a river breached a local dam due to heavy rainfall.
The torrential rain caused the Little Wolf River to overwhelm the Manawa Dam around midday, with over five inches of rain falling in just a few hours near the dam, according to meteorologist Kurt Kotenberg of the National Weather Service in Green Bay.
Drivers found themselves trapped on flooded roads as they attempted to escape the rising waters, prompting emergency officials to perform daring rescues. “People were stranded in cars on flooded roads, some even standing on the hoods of their vehicles,” Kotenberg explained.
Fortunately, there have been no reports of fatalities or injuries from the flooding as of Friday afternoon.
Recent heavy rainfall in the Midwest has raised concerns about the stability of dams in the region, with the Rapidan Dam in southern Minnesota nearly failing last month.
Located on the northern outskirts of Manawa, the Manawa Dam sits adjacent to the Manawa Mill Pond in this small Wisconsin city of around 1,400 residents, just 50 miles west of Green Bay. Kotenberg mentioned that assessing whether the dam sustained any damage will take time.
In a precautionary advisory, the National Weather Service advised Manawa residents to seek higher ground if possible. However, Kotenberg emphasized that staying put and sheltering in place is safer than attempting to navigate flooded roads.
The Waupaca County Sheriff’s Office shared a Facebook post urging residents to stay away from Manawa while rescue teams carried out their operations to assist vulnerable individuals in the city.
Furthermore, officials advised residents in the impacted area to boil tap water prior to consumption, as the water may be contaminated. Precaution is key in ensuring community safety during this time of crisis.
