MADISON, Wis. - Gov. Scott Walker declared a state of emergency authorizing the adjutant general to activate more than 125 Wisconsin National Guard troops — part of the National Guard Reaction Force — today to assist local response efforts to flooding in three southeastern Wisconsin counties.
The National Guard Soldiers are in Burlington, Wisconsin, assisting with traffic control near municipal bridges affected by high water.
Recent storms have resulted in flooding in Kenosha, Racine and Walworth counties, affecting many homes and businesses. Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar, Wisconsin's adjutant general, said the Wisconsin National Guard may also help local authorities with community health and welfare checks and sandbagging support operations.
"The Wisconsin National Guard is prepared to assist local authorities, as needed, in their response to the recent flooding,” Dunbar said. Dunbar is the commander of the more than 10,000 men and women of the Wisconsin National Guard, as well as the governor's homeland security advisor.