AROUND The County

Summer storm slams Pierce County

SV Middle/High School has roof damage

Last week, Gov. Tony Evers signed an executive order declaring a statewide State of Emergency following a widespread severe storm affecting several regions of the state overnight on Wednesday, July 28, causing widespread damage, downed trees and power lines, power outages and road closures.

The National Weather Service confirmed an EF1 tornado in neighboring St. Croix County, beginning southeast of New Richmond and dissipating north of Hammond. It reached peak winds of 95 mph, leaving a 6-mile-wide swath of damage in its wake. It was one of 12 confirmed tornadoes across the state.

On Wednesday, the NWS said the severe weather could develop into a derecho, which is a rare type of storm often described as an inland hurricane. The storm system’s potential volatility prompted the NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center to issue a rare Particularly Dangerous Situation Severe Thunderstorm watch (PDS). However, a NWS meteorologist said the derecho did not materialize.

According to tracking website PowerOutage, US, about 90,000 customers across Wisconsin lost power.

“Last night's storms affected communities from the Mississippi River to Lake Michigan, leaving many regions with widespread damage,” said Evers Thursday._“Wisconsinites are resilient, and I know first responders, utilities, and many across our state are working to respond today. I'm declaring a State of Emergency this morning to ensure state resources are available as we work together to get communities the support and help they need.”

Evers’ executive order directs state agencies to help those affected by the storms. It also allows the Wisconsin National Guard to be called to active duty, as the adjutant general deems necessary, to provide assistance supporting local authorities with their recovery efforts._ Many residents and businesses in Spring Valley lost power or suffered damage. According to the St. Croix Electric Cooperative social media accounts, their crews worked for 20-plus straight hours to restore power to all members affected by the storm. Homes along Boston Road, Eau Galle Dam Road, along the county line east of County Road B, and in the residential neighborhoods south of Team Oil Travel Center were among those without power for an extended period of time. Team Oil had to hook up a 400-horsepower generator after losing power in the early morning hours Thursday.

The Spring Valley school campus also had some storm damage, according to Superintendent John Groh. While the new elementary school saw very few issues, a hole opened in the middle/ high school roof, causing water damage to the gym floor, which has been deemed a total loss. The hope is to have it repaired in time for basketball season. The wind also tore a section of roof off of the storage shed near the middle/high school gym entrance, damaged the soffit and fascia along with windows and skylights.

“The school maintenance staff, along with contractors from the Market & Johnson team have worked very hard to get the roof weathertight, debris picked up and water removed,” Groh said on Facebook. “The district’s insurance agent was on scene early this morning and the claim is already being processed. Power was restored at approximately 3 p.m.”

A dollar amount has not yet been assigned to the damage.

Crystal Cave closed for one day, July 29, to clean up from the storm damage. No one was injured and their buildings remained standing; however, they reported many trees down over the driveway.

“With our Bobcat it took most of the night to clear an ATV wide path on the driveway,” their Facebook page said. “Most of the damage here are trees but we are finding our outdoor furniture all over the park. Luckily there is minimal roof and window damage.”

According to Pierce County Sheriff’s Office reports, one resident on 170th Street in the town of Rock Elm was trapped in her kitchen when a tree came through the roof of her house. She suffered no injuries.

Photos by Sarah Nigbor

Photo courtesy of Spring Valley School District

Spring Valley Middle/High School had a hole torn in its roof, damaging the gym floor when water came in, and a shed roof torn off near the gym entrance. The storm on July 28 produced combinations of straight-line winds and tornadoes across the state.