SHIOCTON, WI- The Village of Shiocton is under an emergency response posture after officials met Thursday morning with multiple agencies including Outagamie County Emergency Management, local law enforcement, fire departments, and state patrol to assess rapidly worsening flood conditions.
Officials report the river running through the village has reached 15.1 feet, an all-time record, and has not yet crested. Widespread flooding has left most village streets impassable, with conditions expected to deteriorate further as additional rounds of heavy rain and potential severe storms move through the region. Emergency managers warn that strong winds and up to two inches of additional rainfall could trigger downed power lines and widespread outages.
Authorities are urging the public to stay away from the village entirely for safety reasons. Officials emphasized that access is restricted, with only approved personnel permitted through law enforcement checkpoints to support sandbagging and emergency response operations. Even volunteers are being tightly controlled due to hazardous conditions and limited roadway access.
Emergency services, including Gold Cross Ambulance and the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office, are coordinating evacuation support for medical emergencies. A Red Cross shelter has been established at 507 S. Maple St. in nearby Black Creek to assist displaced residents, while the health department is helping meet urgent needs for essentials such as medication and clothing.
Public works crews report they are working closely with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to manage water flow and reduce pressure on infrastructure, though officials caution there are no guarantees given the severity of the flooding.
Additional restrictions include strict limits on vehicle movement within affected areas. Officials warn that any vehicles causing wake or disrupting floodwaters will not be permitted back into the village. Traffic speeds are effectively reduced to walking pace as conditions remain extremely dangerous.
VOLUNTEER HELP NEEDED
Officials in the village of Shiocton are calling for urgent volunteer help Friday morning as flooding continues to strain the community, with the most immediate need focused on filling sandbags.
Village leaders shared on social media that they’ve been receiving a high volume of messages from residents and others asking how they can assist. Those able to help are being asked to report to the Ellington Fire Department at N3802 Highway 76, where volunteers should check in before getting started.
For those who want to help but cannot physically fill sandbags, officials say they can still contribute by texting their name and phone number to 920-213-0257. Those contacts will be used later for cleanup efforts and future re-entry assistance once conditions improve.
Flooding remains a serious concern in the area as the Wolf River has risen to a record level. Meteorologists are also warning that additional rainfall is possible Friday evening as new storms move through the region, potentially worsening already difficult conditions.
GOVERNOR EVERS MAKES A VISIT
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers visited Shiocton to assess flood damage and meet with local officials and volunteers. County leaders say the situation has his full attention as communities along the Wolf River continue to see rising water levels.
Evacuees have been directed to the Fox West YMCA for showers and cleanup support, while volunteers in nearby Ellington have been working around the clock, preparing tens of thousands of sandbags for distribution.
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