MANAWA, Wis. (WFRV) — Dozens of volunteers filled and stacked sandbags across Manawa on Wednesday as rising water threatened a local water treatment plant.
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Officials said the effort began around 5 a.m. after calls came in that the plant needed immediate protection from rising floodwaters. Within hours, three truckloads of sand and supplies were delivered to the site.
Residents then quickly formed lines to fill sandbags to build a wall around the facility.
Some of the sandbags weighed up to 60 pounds, but that did not stop volunteers who worked steadily throughout the day.
“It’s a good feeling to see everyone out here doing their part, young and old,” said Manawa resident, Cheryl Ambroziak. “It feels like there’s a lot of love in this community and that we care about where we live.”
By midafternoon, many residents had rotated through the site, with officials estimating more than 80 volunteers participating in the effort.
The flooding impacts were not isolated to Manawa. In Clintonville, water levels remained elevated but had begun to recede after cresting earlier in the week.
In Embarrass, the Embarrass River reached record levels, leading to flooding that affected parts of the local fire department.
Manawa officials said the situation echoes previous flooding challenges in the area, including a dam breach two years ago. However, they are grateful for the extended help from the community.
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“It’s the beauty of a small town,” Manawa Mayor Mike Frazier said. “We see in many communities, people just rallying to help each other out when it matters.”
Authorities added that the water treatment in Manawa has not been damaged, but water levels remain high surrounding the building.
