Flooding in Fond du Lac County Thursday night found many people in situations they didn't want to be: stranded in their cars trying to get through high water on city streets, county roads, and highways. Fond du Lac Police Lieutenant Steve Klein advised staying off streets.
Fond du Lac Public Works Director Mark Lentz cautioned people not to enter their flooded basements, especially if they had electric appliances. During a several hour span parts of the County received 3 to 4 inches of rain and another inch later in the night.
Five shelters have now been set up across Fond du Lac County to accommodate residents who need shelter. County Communications and Emergency Management Director Erin Gerrad said that the challenge today will be how to get people to those shelters as waters continue to rise. Gerrard said the Fond du Lac River overflowed its banks contributing to flooding in Fond du Lac.
Evacuation shelters include the Fond du Lac High School, which is itself surrounded by water; the Rosendale Community Center, the Friendship Learning Center in North Fond du Lac, the Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds, and the Waupun High School.
In Dodge County, Sheriff Todd Nehls said his department recieved unconfirmed reports about tornadoes, but as in Fond du Lac County, the the biggest problem was the heavy rainfall – 3 to 4 inches over several hours – adding to the flooding they'd already experienced over the past week.