Spring storms turned parts of northeast Wisconsin into fast-moving pools on Tuesday, pushing the Village of Suamico to declare a disaster as flooded roads and utility sites cut off entire pockets of the community. Fire crews raced into one neighborhood to pull three people from a home where water had already swallowed the basement and was creeping toward the first floor, while officials began tallying what they described as major infrastructure damage.
According to NBC 26, Suamico firefighters arrived at a house in the 3700 block of Stream Road to find the basement completely underwater and launched an immediate rescue. All three residents inside were brought out safely and were not hurt. The department also responded to a school bus that ended up surrounded by water and leaning to one side. Firefighters guided the driver to dry ground, and there were no passengers on board at the time. The Suamico Fire Department later shared photos of the operation on its Facebook page.
Washouts and Submerged Infrastructure
The Village of Suamico formally issued a disaster declaration after crews started finding one problem after another on local roads and at key utility sites, according to WTAQ. Riverside Drive was reported washed out between Rock Bottom Court and St. Patrick’s Drive, and village officials said Lift Station #5 ended up submerged. Damage assessments were still underway Tuesday afternoon, and leaders cautioned that repairs could stretch on for weeks while they determine if the losses meet state or federal disaster-assistance thresholds.
Warnings, Closures and Safety Advice
National Weather Service products showed flash flood warnings and flood watches blanketing Brown County as heavy rain and runoff collected in low-lying spots, according to the National Weather Service. Local coverage noted a growing list of road closures and school bus disruptions across northeast Wisconsin, and officials repeated the familiar but pointed reminder to “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” and to steer clear of standing water, WHBY reported. Authorities urged anyone who runs into dangerous flooding to call 911 and to obey barricades and closure signs until crews can shore up damaged routes.
The flooding in Suamico is part of a larger multi-day storm system that has been unloading heavy rain across the Great Lakes and the central United States, increasing flood risk in a long list of communities, according to FOX Weather. Village leaders said they will keep evaluating the damage, which could ultimately determine whether state or federal disaster aid is requested, and repeated that some repairs may take weeks to finish. Residents were advised to keep an eye on village and Brown County channels for the latest information on road closures and safety guidance.
