By Gregg Hoffmann
WisBusiness.com
VIROQUA – Gov. Jim Doyle toured the flood- devastated counties of Crawford, Richland and Vernon Monday and promised state help.
In Crawford County, Doyle examined a partially collapsed road in Soldiers Grove and Gays Mills’ evacuated downtown. More than 200 homes were flooded in the two towns.
Earlier in the day, the governor toured Vernon County and held an impromptu press conference in Viroqua.
Doyle announced he has ordered the emergency management office to lead the state’s response efforts, and directed all state agencies to assist the affected communities.
The governor promised to seek federal aid, but said he was more worried about dams in the area with forecasts calling for more rain.
“Right now, people are still in the middle of this,” Doyle said. “We’re pleased that to date nobody has been reported injured or killed. The emergency response teams are doing great work.”
The state estimated Vernon County had at least $9.5 million in damage, Doyle said. That number is likely to rise as damage reports continue to come in.
Richland County had an estimated $3.1 million in damage. Damage estimates for the other counties have not yet been issued.
