Update on Response to Severe Weather in Dane County - 4:30 p.m.

August 19, 2005
J. McLellan, Dept. of Emergency Management 608/267-2542 (Stoughton Area Tornado Reference 0819-04)
Emergency Management

Cleanup and assessment of damage from last night’s severe weather in Dane County continues. Efforts are being concentrated in the southeast portion of the county in the Towns of Dunn, Pleasant Springs and Christiana and the north side of the City of Stoughton. A State of Emergency, declared by County Executive Kathleen Falk this morning, remains in effect. County Executive Falk also today requested that Governor Jim Doyle seek a Federal Disaster Declaration for Dane County from President Bush. Governor Doyle has made a formal state disaster declaration for Dane County. Damage estimate information § Residential damage in Stoughton/Dunn/Pleasant Springs/Christiana area, 18 homes destroyed, 59 homes with major damage (uninhabitable while being repaired) and 100 homes with minor damage (habitable while being repaired). One business reporting major damage. Very preliminary value of residential damage is estimated at $7,450,000. Preliminary estimate of business damage is estimated at $150,000. Injuries-21 people were conveyed to area hospitals. One fatality. Access to storm damaged areas § A pass system remains in effect to regulate access to storm damaged areas. Residents of the affected areas have been issued a pass which identifies them. This process is intended to safeguard the security of property and the safety of residents impacted by the storms. At approximately 2:15 p.m. this afternoon, law enforcement began allowing displaced homeowners access to their properties. Shelter-The American Red Cross has established a shelter for displaced residents in the Community Building, of the River Bluff Campus, 320 North Street in Stoughton. The shelter housed approximately 40 people last night. The shelter remains open for those who need it. The Red Cross also has established a service center in Stoughton to provide additional assistance to those in need. The Salvation Army is also establishing an emergency canteen to serve first responders and area residents affected by the storm Volunteers § All Volunteers must register tomorrow, Saturday August 20, 2005, with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources at Stoughton High School, 600 Lincoln Ave., Stoughton, WI 53589. Registration will start at 7:00 a.m. Please bring a form of official photo identification. § No volunteers were utilized today because a safe work environment could not be guaranteed for the volunteers. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused persons who registered as volunteers today. Volunteer’s safety must be our top priority. § Registration of volunteers is important for two reasons: It provides accountability for volunteers. We want to make sure that all the volunteers that are sent to assist with clean up come back at the end of the day. It also provides for the security of personal belongings within the secure zones. § Dane County Emergency Management is requesting individuals interested in volunteering their time for clean-up of last nights severe weather to please call United Way’s 211 help line. If you are calling from a cell phone, please call (608) 246-HELP. Needs of Residents § Persons who have unmet needs related to the tornado and people who have goods or skills that they are willing to donate to the recovery effort are encouraged to call the United Way’s 2-1-1 service. The United Way will forward those requests and offers of assistance to recovery officials. Please do not bring any items to the United Way. The United Way’s 2-1-1 service can be reached by calling 2-1-1 within Dane County or by dialing 608 / 246-HELP from a cellular phone. # # #