By Gregg Hoffmann
WisBusiness.com
VIROQUA – Two Driftless Area volunteer groups have joined forces to help collect food for victims of the floods in Vernon and Crawford counties.
The Valley Stewardship Network and Kickapoo Valley Association have contacted the Emergency Management representatives of the two counties and are assisting in food collection.
Non-perishable food products can be brought to a variety of collection points in the area by 5 p.m. Aug. 24 and the two groups will deliver the food to distribution points.
Hundreds of people have been displaced in hard-hit areas such as Gays Mills, Soldiers Grove and other places.
Residents and officials alike had their eyes on the skies as nightfall approached Tuesday because forecasters were calling for locally-heavy rain, with accumulations in some areas of up to two inches.
Concerns are high for several dams in the area. Evacuation was ordered Sunday for Avalanche and Bloomingdale, two small, remote communities. Bridges are out on Hy Y. A dam failed at Hidden Valley Lake located north of the Seas Branch impoundment, which was reported to be leaking.
Officials also are concerned about the Clockmaker north of Avalanche being full, but it was not leaking. Dams at Runge Hollow and other areas were being checked.
The collection points for food are: Peoples State Bank, Soldiers Grove; Bluedog Cycles, Viroqua; Cashton Mercantile, Cashton; George Wilbur Attorney/Celeste Gibson Office, LaFarge; Crooked River Resort, Readstown; Westby House, Westby; and L & M BP, Wauzeka.
Notices about relief efforts also will be posted on Driftless Writers Blog at
http://www.oldschoolcollectibles.com/articles/article2.html.
