NEW LONDON, Wis. (WFRV) – The City of New London’s North Water Street is open again after being closed since April 15 due to historic flooding.
Oshkosh may reconsider Flock camera contract renewal
The street reopened around noon on Wednesday, allowing businesses to come in and assess damages. Many owners spent the afternoon removing sandbags from their buildings toward the street.
Business owners voiced their desires to reopen North Water Street, which was a blessing as they await the return of their gas power from We Energies.
“Each day gets a little better and better,” Jolly Rodgers owner Bob Leahy said. “It gives you hope that things will be back to normal and we can get back on the right path here.”
Leahy said he feared he was going to lose his pizza restaurant, which he and his family have run for over 33 years; however, the support from the community has meant everything to him.
“I don’t know if our Irish heritage here in New London, but everybody has taken it and taken the most positive attitude towards it,” Leahy said. “There’s a lot of good that’s come out of this devastation.”
El Taquela, a restaurant on North Water Street, took a proactive approach to the news of opening, bringing out a food truck as they await their gas to turn on.
Owner Miguel Hernandez was delighted that so many people had come out to support their restaurant.
“Today’s the first day we’ve gotten the food truck open, and so far, the support there’s no words for it,” Hernandez said. “Everyone’s been coming out and showing out to help us.”
Green Bay residents mark Earth Day with community-wide cleanup effort
It’s a long road to recovery in New London, as areas of the city are still impacted by flooding.
The National Weather Service predicts rain and thunderstorms on Friday, and the city posted on social media that they advise not removing sandbags from homes and businesses in heavily affected areas until the rain passes.
