DOUGLAS COUNTY, WIS. – Aggie Jensen was born 70 years ago on the same land where she lives now, and she has never seen the Nemadji River like this.
"Never, ever, ever," Jensen said as the river lapped within 2 feet of her home's foundation Monday afternoon in a rural area south of Superior, Wis.
And no wonder — the home where Aggie and Gordon Jensen live is at least 1,000 feet from the Nemadji's banks. The normally placid river, which typically runs about 4 to 5 feet deep, reached a record depth of more than 30 feet in the wake of the weekend's torrential rains, spilling over its banks and inundating roads throughout southwest Douglas County.
The damage extended into Minnesota, especially Carlton County south of Duluth, where several roads were washed out.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker on Monday declared a state of emergency in Douglas, Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett and Iron counties after thunderstorms beginning Saturday night dumped as much as 10 inches of rain on already saturated ground in western Wisconsin.
The storms and flooding left a large, muddy swath of destruction. Two men died in Wisconsin, damage was estimated in the millions and numerous roads and bridges were washed out.
"Much of the damage is still underwater, and it's too dangerous to put people out there," said Keith Kesler, director of emergency management for Douglas County. "It's been a long couple of days, and we've got a couple more ahead of us."
Damages are expected to be in the millions, mainly for rebuilding washed-out roads and bridges, he said. But the final tally will be awhile in coming, he added.