Flooding in western Wisconsin has claimed a second victim. According to the latest incident report from the state Emergency Operations Center, the Vernon County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that a 79 year man died after he drove into high water in the Viroqua area. On Thursday, a man identified as 53-year-old Michael McDonald died when his home was carried on to Highway 35,
Flooding caused by torrential rains in western Wisconsin this week has prompted Governor Scott Walker to declare a state of emergency in the region.
Walker’s declaration issued Thursday afternoon covers Buffalo, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Eau Claire, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Richland, Sauk, Trempealeau, and Vernon counties. The governor also instructed the Wisconsin National Guard and all state agencies to provide assistance to those affected by the ongoing disaster.