Bad River Reservation in state of emergency due to storms
ODANAH, WI ~ The Bad River Reservation experienced severe flooding on Monday, July 11, 2016, through Thursday, July 14, 2016. The floods were the result of a series of severe thunderstorms that moved through the area, causing significant property damage and the destruction of roads, bridges, community facilities, trails and recreation areas as well as individuals’ homes on the reservation.
Restoring the most basic of essential services and infrastructure remains of great concern for the Tribe. The safety, health and well-being of our Tribal members, elders, children, families and other community members is at the forefront of our efforts at this time.
The Bad River Tribal Council, the governing body of the Bad River Band, officially declared a State of Emergency on the reservation in addition to Governor Walker naming Ashland County as one of eight counties in his State of Emergency declaration.
The Bad River Band is requesting support, technical and financial assistance from the State and Federal Government and non-government agencies and organizations to help the Band in our efforts to recover and repair roads, bridges, community facilities, trails and recreational areas and implement disaster mitigation controls.
In addition, the Bad River Band is requesting technical and financial assistance to help Bad River Tribal members and non-Tribal member reservation residents who are experiencing immediate and extended losses because of this disaster. For information on how you can assist the Tribe, please contact the Bad River Command Post: 715-685-7859.
Please make note of the following updated road closures: US Highway 2 west of New Odanah, WI is closed at Denomie Creek Bridge.
Detour route is as follows: for westbound traffic on US 2 go south on US 51 to WIS 77, west on WIS 77 to US 63 to US 53, then north on US 53 back to US 2. All eastbound travelers on US 2 will reverse these directions.
