CLINTONVILLE, Wis. (WFRV) – Residents in Clintonville spent the day documenting rising water as flooding from the Pigeon River pushed into downtown streets, parks and public spaces on Tuesday.
Weyauwega on alert after significant rainfall prompts Big Falls Dam concerns
People were seen walking through town with phones in hand, stopping to take photos of the high water levels. In one striking example, a local baseball field sat completely submerged.
Floodwaters spread across downtown areas, covering parking lots and green spaces as the river overflowed its banks. According to Clintonville Police Chief Craig Freitag, the city has not experienced this level of flooding since the 1970s.
“Everyone is doing a great job coming together,” Freitag said. “What we ask is for patience. We are doing the best we can and using all the resources we have available.”
Emergency crews remained on alert throughout the day, particularly amid concerns surrounding a nearby dam. However, much of the response effort has extended beyond first responders.
Community members, including students with a day off from school, spent hours filling sandbags in an effort to protect homes and businesses from further damage.
“I’ve never experienced a flood,” Marion High School student Cheyanna Harper said. “It’s definitely interesting having an ice storm as one disaster and then a flood the next. It’s great we can all work together to make sure everyone is taken care of.”
Local businesses also stepped in to support response efforts. Culver’s provided meals for first responders, grilling 36 burgers for members of the fire department.
Authorities across northeast Wisconsin share one common message amid ongoing flooding
Clintonville High School served as a temporary shelter for residents affected by the flooding. The district’s superintendent, Tony Kuhn, said if conditions stabilize or improve on Tuesday, classes are expected to resume on Wednesday.
Officials continue to monitor river levels and urge residents to remain cautious as recovery efforts move forward.
