Wisconsin
Wisconsin Xcel Energy crews among the many heading down to Georgia for hurricane relief
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) – It has been several days since Hurricane Helen ravaged The South.
“Looking at some of the stuff that they’re talking about, the sights, the sounds and the smells, it kind of does cross your mind a little,” said Terry Schloer.
He has worked for Xcel Energy for decades. He and others from Wisconsin are using their skills to help bring relief to those impacted by power outages in Augusta, Ga.
“Knowing they’re still looking for help a week after the storm is really kind of telling its tale that there’s significant damage,” said Brad Polacek.
He is one of three managers traveling with twelve linemen that make up six crews from the Wisconsin region.
Xcel Energy is sending over a hundred workers in total from various states, which include our neighbors to the west in Minnesota.
Four of the six Wisconsin groups met in Eau Claire on Wednesday to go over the game plan before hitting the road.
“You don’t realize how important that electricity is until that light switch don’t work anymore,” said Schloer.
Our sister state WAGT/WRDW reported that thousands of linemen from various companies that come from various state are in the Peach State to help out.
Our colleagues said the category 1 storm’s damage to the Georgie Power electric grid includes:
More than 8,000 power poles
More than a thousand miles of wiring
More than 1,500 transformers.
The station also reported that of the 184,000 Georgia Power customers without power, the majority of them are in Augusta.
“There’s plenty of guys that’ll be down there helping out. These guys are going to be putting in 16 hour days. Getting lights on and fixing polls and getting wires up,” said Schloer.
The linemen heading down have had their fair share of power restoration operations.
“In our area here we’ve seen big wind events, thunderstorms, tornadoes aren’t uncommon for this area either,” said Polacek.
The crews recognize the job ahead is easier said than done.
“We’ll gladly go do it and help out. We’ll get dirty and get tired. We’ll put in some long days. But, it’s just part of it,” said Schloer.
“What we can’t lose sight of is the safety part of that. We have to make sure we take the time necessary to do what we do safely. Make sure we have zero injuries on the way there, do our work and make it back home safely,” said Polacek.
The crews from Wisconsin plan to get to Georgia by Friday and expect to work for the next couple of weeks.
Copyright 2024 WEAU. All rights reserved.
- Showers will be most likely for areas along and south of the I-94 corridor
- Dry and pleasant conditions for Monday and Tuesday
- Showers and thunderstorms will return Tuesday night and into the day Wednesday
MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – We are starting the day with some sunshine, but high-level clouds will continue to move in out ahead of a weather system to the southwest. This area of low pressure will move eastward across Illinois and Indiana today, bringing an increase in cloud cover as well as the chance for rain in southern Wisconsin. There is still some uncertainty with exactly how far north the rain will extend, but there is a higher confidence in the presence and coverage of showers along and south of the I-94 corridor this afternoon and evening. Activity will likely be much more hit-or-miss in areas farther north, with some spots potentially not seeing any rain at all.
The cloud cover and rain combined will work to limit temperatures today, with highs only ranging from the upper 60s (in southern Wisconsin) to the low 70s (further north where the sun may linger longer, and it will be drier). We are not expecting a heavy rain, nor are we expecting storms. In areas closer to the state line, rainfall accumulations may be around a half inch. Tonight, rain will end as the system moves east.
What’s Coming Up…
Monday will be dry and pleasant with highs into the mid-70s and some sunshine. This trend continues Tuesday, with highs in the upper 70s. Rain and thunderstorms are then likely to return Tuesday night and Wednesday, with a chance for some stronger storms Wednesday afternoon. Additional showers may linger into Thursday.
Looking Ahead…
Friday looks mostly dry before more chances for showers and thunderstorms return next weekend as temperatures warm up a bit closer to normal for this time of the year.
Click here to download the WMTV15 News app or our WMTV15 First Alert weather app.
Copyright 2022 WMTV. All rights reserved.
MILWAUKEE (WLUK) — Four Northeast Wisconsin garage bands took to the Aurora Pavilion Stage at Summerfest Friday in hopes of winning the 2026 edition of ‘Rockonsin.’
The bands include:
- “Mania” composed of students from East De Pere High School
- “The Danios” composed of students from Mayville High School
- “The Doorknobs” composed of students from Sheboygan North High School and Étude High School
- “Krusher” composed of students from Campbellsport High School
The local bands and six others were the finalists selected from 54 middle and high schools across across Wisconsin for the 2026 contest.
All of them performed 20 minute showcases for an audience, including a trio of music industry panel judges. The bands were judged on technique, rhythm and vocals, primary beats, and synergy among other aspects.
Rockonsin announced “Krusher” won the grand prize Saturday night. Winning the contest nets the band a 12 hour recording session at Blast House Studios in Madison. The runner up band is “Candy Cigarette” from Oconomowoc High School, which wins a shorter 8 hour recording session at Blast House Studios.
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The contest is in its 22nd year.
LAKE MILLS, Wis. (WFRV) – The City of Lake Mills Police Department alerted the public that they are looking for a missing endangered person early Saturday morning.
Police say that 24-year-old Alfred, “Al,” Pellatt of Lake Mills was last seen at approximately 2:45 a.m. on Friday, June 19. It was detailed that Pellatt left a bar in the 100 block of N. Main Street in Lake Mills heading north on foot. At around 2:43 a.m., Pellatt was viewed on foot in the 500 block of N. Main Street.
It was noted that Pellatt has special needs and is on medication, but does not have it with him.
Police describe Pellatt as a 6’0″ white male, weighing 215 pounds. He was last seen wearing a floral dress.
Lake Mills is located west of Milwaukee in Jefferson County.
Any information pertaining to Pellatt’s whereabouts should be shared with the City of Lake Mills Police Department.
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