Shiocton village evacuated as officials mobilize sandbagging, roadblocks; Gov. Evers to visit

The village of Shiocton was evacuated Thursday as rising river levels prompted an emergency meeting at 9:00 a.m. at Bovina Town Hall.

At the session, attended by Village President Jenny Schmoock and Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson, local and state public-safety agencies outlined measures to keep residents safe and maintain critical services during the flood threat. Officials directed communications through the village Facebook page and described the operational posture for sandbagging, roadblocks and sheltering.

State Patrol officers will be stationed at the village’s four entrances to prevent re-entry while the evacuation remains in effect; officials said sand-bag delivery to the village will still be allowed. Local sandbagging work continues in nearby Ellington, where organizers reported more than 250 volunteers and about 50 loads of sand used so far.

Clerk Sweeney urged the board to monitor sand orders because the village may be responsible for the cost if materials are used outside village limits. "The board may want to consider monitoring the amount of sand being ordered," Sweeney said, according to the meeting record.

Paula, an Outagamie County Emergency Management official, briefed the board on weather conditions and shelter arrangements run with the Red Cross and outlined next steps for response and resident support.

Officials said Gov. Evers was expected in Shiocton at about 1:00 p.m. to evaluate the flooding and response needs. The meeting adjourned at 9:56 a.m.

Next steps listed by officials include continued Facebook updates from the clerk, monitoring sand deliveries and maintaining staffed roadblocks until the village is cleared to allow residents to return.