The Office of the Governor of the State of Wisconsin
04/16/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/16/2026 15:55
Gov. Evers Visits Wisconsin National Guard Soldiers Supporting Flood Response Efforts in Columbia County
Press Release: Gov. Evers Visits Wisconsin National Guard Soldiers Supporting Flood Response Efforts in Columbia County
State of Wisconsin sent this bulletin at 04/16/2026 04:43 PM CDT| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 16, 2026 |
| Contact: [email protected] |
| Gov. Evers Visits Wisconsin National Guard Soldiers Supporting Flood Response Efforts in Columbia County |
| Governor thanks soldiers for supporting state's response to severe weather affecting families and communities across Wisconsin |
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COLUMBIA COUNTY - Gov. Tony Evers today visited with soldiers in the Wisconsin National Guard who are supporting flood response efforts in Columbia County. The governor's visit with the soldiers comes after he signed Executive Order #289 yesterday, declaring a state of emergency as communities across Wisconsin continue to experience and recover from severe storms, power outages, record rainfall, and flooding, all of which are expected to continue throughout the remainder of the week. Gov. Evers today also toured storm damage in the Fox Valley and met with local neighbors, volunteers, and emergency and first responders. The governor also toured storm damage and visited with local residents affected by extreme weather yesterday in Juneau County. Wisconsin National Guard soldiers are helping support sandbagging operations to help ensure safe passage for drivers and protect transportation infrastructure along certain portions of the interstate near Portage. Approximately 100 Wisconsin National Guard soldiers are assisting the state's response to severe weather across the state this week, including supporting the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and local authorities in response to ongoing flooding conditions in Columbia County. "We are incredibly grateful to our soldiers in the Wisconsin National Guard who've dropped their daily lives to respond and help our neighbors in need, especially as families and communities across our state are bracing for more severe weather in the coming days," said Gov. Evers "As a state, we've been working around the clock to quickly and efficiently respond to the extreme weather we've been experiencing, including unprecedented flooding. Alongside our many dedicated first responders, emergency personnel, and volunteers, our National Guard members are adding to the wide range of Wisconsinites who are lending a helping hand to keep folks safe, set up temporary emergency flood barriers, and ensure that impacted communities have the resources they need." Storms began moving through the state on April 13, bringing devastating winds, tornadoes, hail, and heavy rainfall, resulting in flooding, structural damage, evacuations, and power outages throughout the state of Wisconsin, including several confirmed tornadoes. As a preventative measure, the Columbia County Highway Department is placing sandbags along both directions of Interstate 39 at the WIS 33 interchange, located west of Portage. The sandbagging operation is intended to protect critical transportation infrastructure and help ensure continued safe travel through the area. The soldiers are providing logistical and physical support to expedite sandbag placement and reinforce flood mitigation efforts. Their assistance is part of a coordinated, multi-agency response to reduce the impact of rising water levels on key roadways. "The Wisconsin National Guard stands ready to support our state partners and local communities during emergencies," said Wisconsin National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Matt Strub. "This proactive effort will help protect vital infrastructure and maintain public safety during the potential flooding event." Gov. Evers and the Evers Administration will continue to monitor conditions and coordinate with emergency and first responders, local and state partners, and stand ready as needed to continue supporting response efforts across Wisconsin. Wisconsin Emergency Management, a division of the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs, has been working with counties to assess damage and determine resources needed to speed recovery efforts. The State Emergency Operations Center remains operational and elevated. Gov. Evers' emergency declaration will help ensure state agencies, local partners, utilities, and emergency management officials can continue working together and respond quickly to damage and effects caused by recent severe weather, as well as any anticipated severe weather in the days ahead. |
| An online version of this release is available here. |
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| Office of the Governor • 115 East Capitol, Madison, WI 53702 | |
| Press Office Email: [email protected] | |
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The Office of the Governor of the State of Wisconsin published this content on April 16, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 16, 2026 at 21:55 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]