Richland County Emergency Management

Public Health Press Release #2

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TIPS TO PREVENT HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES

Richland Center, WI: With the prediction of high temperatures over the next few days, these temperatures could increase the risk of heat-related illnesses, especially for those who are sensitive to the heat, such as young children and the elderly.
Richland County Health & Human Services is advising individuals to follow essential tips to prevent heat-related illnesses:

  • Drink more fluids (nonalcoholic), regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Warning: If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask him how much you should drink while the weather is hot.
  • Don’t drink liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar–these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.
  • Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the public library or other air conditioned public building–even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.
  • Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.
  • Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
  • NEVER leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle.
  • Although any one at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others. Check regularly on:

[Read more…]

Public Health Press Release #1

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PUBLIC HEALTH HAZARDS IN RELATION TO FLOODING

Richland Center, WI: Richland County Health & Human Services is advising the public of the potential Public Health hazards in relation to the area flooding.

Water Safety

Do not use water for drinking, brushing teeth, cooking, or making ice unless you are certain that it is safe. The DNR is recommending that if wells are submerged they should be disinfected prior to completing a well sample. Please contact the Public Health Department or check out our website for further information regarding the technique involved with disinfecting a well. The Public Health Department is recommending that all well samples be postponed until at least next Monday, July 24th to avoid a sample being considered too old to test due to the upcoming weekend. Water test kits may be picked up at the Community Services Building Monday through Friday from 8am – 5pm.

Mold

After a flood, mold will grow in your house and can make you sick. Items that were wet for 2 or more days should be taken outside, as they have mold growing on them even if you can’t see it. Hard surfaced items can be cleaned with soap and water and then sanitized with a bleach solution. Cloth items can be washed in hot water. Please contact the Public Health Department or check out our website for further information regarding the techniques involved with removing mold from household items. [Read more…]

More Storms Expected Friday and Friday Night

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The storm system that moved through the area Wednesday night/Thursday morning produced between 6.5″ to 8″ of rain and winds in excess of 70 mph. The heavy rainfall caused significant flash flooding throughout the county which in turn caused area rivers and streams to rise dramatically; resulting in moderate flooding and several road closures. Several homes have been impacted as well, however none have been reported destroyed.

Another round of storms is expected to hit the area Friday and Friday night. These storms will again likely produce heavy rains that could lead to more flash flooding, especially for the locations that received heavy rains Wednesday night. In addition, there will also be a threat for damaging winds and large hail during the afternoon and evening.

Richland County Emergency Management is urging everyone to take the necessary steps now to protect life and property, as another round of storms will most certainly exacerbate the current flooding conditions. Those with outdoor interests and activities Friday and Friday night will also want to be weather aware!

SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Residents of Wisconsin Affected by Severe Storms and Flash Flooding

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WASHINGTON – Wisconsin businesses and residents affected by the severe storms and flash flooding on Sept. 22, 2016, can apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet announced today.

Contreras-Sweet made the loans available in response to a letter from Gov. Scott Walker on Oct. 27, requesting a disaster declaration by the SBA. The declaration covers Vernon County and the adjacent counties of Crawford, Juneau, La Crosse, Monroe, Richland and Sauk in Wisconsin; Allamakee in Iowa; and Houston in Minnesota.

“The SBA is strongly committed to providing the people of Wisconsin with the most effective and customer-focused response possible to assist businesses of all sizes, homeowners and renters with federal disaster loans,” said Contreras-Sweet. “Getting businesses and communities up and running after a disaster is our highest priority at SBA.”

SBA’s customer service representatives will be available at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center to answer questions about the disaster loan program and help individuals complete their applications.

The Center is located in the following community and is open as indicated:

Vernon County

Banta Building

402 Courthouse St.

Viroqua, WI 54665

Opening: Friday, Nov. 4 at 10:30 a.m.

Hours: Weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 5 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Closed: Sunday, Nov. 6

Friday, Nov. 11 (In honor of Veterans Day)

Saturday, Nov. 12 and Sunday, Nov. 13

Closes: Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 3 p.m.

“Businesses and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets,” said SBA’s Wisconsin District Director Eric Ness.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.

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“Loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for loans up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property,” said Frank Skaggs, director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East in Atlanta.

Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase up to 20 percent of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements may now include a safe room or storm shelter to help protect property and occupants from future damage caused by a similar disaster.

Interest rates are as low as 4 percent for businesses, 2.625 percent for nonprofit organizations, and 1.563 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amount and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Businesses and individuals may also obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), or by emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Loan applications can also be downloaded at www.sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be returned to the center or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Dec. 30, 2016. The deadline to return economic injury applications is July 31, 2017.

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For more information about the SBA’s Disaster Loan Program, visit our website at www.sba.gov/disaster.

 

Governor Walker Announces Disaster Assistance for Western Wisconsin Flood Victims

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Madison – Governor Scott Walker announced today that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved his request for federal low-interest disaster loans for individuals and businesses affected by flash flooding in September. The SBA declared Vernon County, along with the contiguous counties of Crawford, Juneau, La Crosse, Monroe, Richland and Sauk counties. In addition, Allamakee County in Iowa and Houston County in Minnesota were also listed.

“We’re pleased the U.S. Small Business Administration will be able to assist homeowners and businesses that incurred damage from floods in September,” Governor Walker said. “The low-interest loans will help them get back on their feet as they continue to recover from this natural disaster.”

Assistance in the form of low-interest loans of up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed homes. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property. Low-interest loans of up to $2 million are available to businesses for physical damage and economic loss from the flooding.

Heavy rains caused widespread flooding and mudslides in western Wisconsin on September 21 and September 22. Last week, the SBA completed initial damage assessments and reported more than 30 homes and businesses sustained significant damage and uninsured losses of over $3 million.

To help assist disaster victims, the SBA will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Viroqua, where individuals and businesses will be able to obtain information and loan applications. The center will open Friday, November 4, 2016 at the Banta Building, 402 Courthouse Square in Viroqua beginning at 10:30 a.m.

https://em.co.richland.wi.us/