Residents rally as flooding impacts village

FREMONT - Widespread flooding along the Wolf River led to evacuations that remained in place for some village residents Monday, as the region responded to near-record water levels.

According to Waupaca County Emergency Management, floodwaters near Fremont crested Monday and were slowly beginning to recede. Officials noted the 12-foot river gauge near Fremont remained submerged and impacts continued across the area.

Flooding overwhelmed local infrastructure, including the sanitary sewer system in Fremont. Village officials urged residents to conserve sewer use, warning that excessive water entering the system has contributed to strain at treatment plants and the village was trying to prevent a backup failure.

Officials also warned that sump pump discharge is worsening the problem and asked residents to direct outflow into yards when possible.

Evacuation guidance was issued April 18 by county emergency management and the Fremont Fire Department, recommending residents in low-lying or affected areas leave their homes as rising water made road access increasingly unsafe. By April 19, officials said parts of Fremont north of Highway 10 and west of the river were designated “exit only,” with limited access for emergency services and sandbag deliveries.

Road access in some areas became so limited that officials later reported entry into town was only possible via Oak Street, with additional warnings that some routes required wading through floodwaters.

Sandbagging operations continued for days at multiple locations, including the Fremont American Legion Hall, where volunteers have repeatedly gathered to shore up flood defenses. The Fremont Legion put out multiple calls for volunteers, noting shifting river conditions and the need for round-the-clock pump monitoring.

“Thanks everyone for helping at the Legion this morning,” one update stated. “It’s been a few long, hard days and our community continues to show up.”

The flooding also prompted widespread closures and service disruptions. The Weyauwega-Fremont School District closed schools on April 17 due to flooding and sewer impacts. The Neuschafer Community Library closed temporarily due to road closures, though officials said the building remained dry and secure as of late last week. The Fremont Village Hall also closed early last Friday due to rising water.

Additional impacts included closures at recreational and community sites. The Fremont RV Campground was closed due to flooding and restricted road access. Bridge Bar & Restaurant was overtaken by floodwaters and remained closed until further notice.

“We again appreciate all the support we’ve received to help manage the chaos,” the business posted on social media.

Community organizations and businesses have stepped in to support response efforts. Local sites, including Let’s Meat, served as donation drop-off locations and provided meals for emergency crews and volunteers. St. Paul’s Church is also collecting supplies for affected residents. Donation requests included cleaning supplies, industrial fans, dehumidifiers and protective equipment for post-flood cleanup.

Emergency responders from across the region have been active throughout the flooding. The Weyauwega Area Fire Department reported more than 300 hours of combined service from April 12-19, citing training, emergency calls and flood response efforts. The department also thanked employers who allowed members to assist during the emergency.

Waupaca County Emergency Management Director Zac Van Asten said during a press conference Monday that officials were working on reentry efforts, which included restoring utilities as several residents in the village were without natural gas service.

“The thing is, we’ve been affected county-wide,” he said. “So right now we’re working with several cities, towns and villages on damage assessments. We have crews that have been out tremendously, all over the county, 24/7.”

Van Asten said the impacted communities have been banding together with an outpouring of support.

“There’s been so many volunteers and so many people willing to help,” he said.
Flood response efforts were expected to continue through this week, with ongoing sandbagging, pump monitoring and cleanup as waters gradually recede.