River rising in Green Lake as Oshkosh continues recovery effort

By Aldrich M. Tan • Of The Northwestern

June 16, 2008

As Oshkosh recovers from a major storm that brought more than six inches of rain, Green Lake County prepares for a rising Fox River.

The National Weather Service Station in Sullivan issued a flood warning on Sunday for Green Lake County until Monday at 1 p.m.

The water level was about 14.85 feet in the Berlin and Green Lake area, said Scott Cultice, meteorologist for the National Weather Service Station in Green Bay. The flood stage is 13-feet.

Flooding is already occurring in the area, said Gary Podoll, emergency management director for Green Lake County. State Highway 23 in Princeton has water over it so traffic has been detoured. Both the city of Berlin and Princeton have sandbags in the area as the river continues to rise.

"Right now, we are keeping active and watching the river levels and see if we can keep up with it and do the best job that we can," Podoll said on Sunday.

Podoll said he would meet with various cities during a joint closed meeting on Monday at 1 p.m. in Green Lake, followed by a press conference.

Property damage in Green Lake County was estimated at more than $1 million, but there were no reports of deaths, injuries or missing persons.

Fewer than 50 people were evacuated and all found places to go so far, according to a news release from Sheriff Mark Podoll on Saturday.

No evacuations have been scheduled as of Sunday, Gary Podoll said. The American Red Cross of East Central Wisconsin is prepared to reactivate a shelter in Montello just in case, Red Cross regional director Steve Hansen said.

Relief effort continues in Oshkosh. According to the latest press release from the city, a water moratorium has been lifted and the Pollock Community Water Park is closed until further notice for repairs. Sanitation and debris removal pickups are scheduled for the next two weeks.

The Red Cross opened a shelter at the Oshkosh convention center on Friday morning, Hansen said. 25 people stayed overnight at the shelter on Thursday, and none have since then.

The area is now a distribution center for cleanup kits, Hansen said. At least 400 people have gone to the center for supplies. The Red Cross also received cleanup kit donations from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Father Carr's Place 2B was also a shelter for flood victims. Fr. Joe Geniesse said at least 50 people stayed over on Thursday night. Most people have moved back into their homes or are staying with family and friends in the area.

Geniesse said community relief attitudes have been great. People have brought food and bottled water, as well as called about any way that they can help at the shelter.

"I think it has really brought the community closer together and able to help each other out," Geniesse said. "It is neighbor helping neighbor."