Mayor's Community Update - 04/05/2019

Greetings! Fire Chief DeMaa, our emergency management director, has been working with both Fond du Lac and Dodge counties to update county-level hazard mitigation plans. Once the counties have adopted the updated plans later this year, the Waupun Common Council will review and adopt the proposed updates. In 2018, we had three significant weather events that caused flooding and other destruction in our area. Costs associated with the 2018 events were significant. In the wind event that occurred on August 28, 2018, Fond du Lac County was included in the federal disaster declaration, opening up opportunity for the city to pursue future funding through mitigation grants to address specific needs within the city. The updates to the county-wide plans include identified projects needed to mitigate flooding and increase safety in Waupun. This is the first step in ensuring our community’s ability to obtain grant funding when it becomes available. The Waupun projects include but are not limited to flooding around Harris Creek on the city’s west side; a generator addition at City Hall, and storm shelters near the mobile home residential area on the city’s southeast side. With the increasing frequency of these storm events, we are placing a strong emphasis on readiness and mitigation planning. According to the National Weather Services, Wisconsin averages 23 tornadoes annually. Governor Evers has declared April 8 through 12 as Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week. Statewide tornado drills are scheduled for Thursday, April 11, 2019. There will be two drills held that day as part of the annual spring severe weather campaign to encourage everyone in Wisconsin to be ready for possible tornadoes and severe weather. The drill on April 11 will begin with a mock tornado watch at 1 p.m., followed by a statewide mock tornado warning at 1:45 p.m. Sirens will be sounded in the community at that time. A second mock tornado warning will be issued at 6:45 p.m. and sirens will be activated to give families and second-shift workers a change to practice their emergency plans. The tornado drill will take place even if the sky is cloudy, dark or rainy. If actual severe storms are expected in the state on Thursday, April 11, the tornado drills will be postponed until Friday, April 12.

Around town, attendance at the Senior Center continues to increase. Currently the center is running short on lunch program volunteers. The lunch program is a county-run program that his hosted by the Senior Center. If you or someone your know is interested in volunteering, please stop by the Senior Center to inquire. On April 20, the Waupun Rotary will host their annual Easter Egg Hunt at 1 p.m. at Tanner Park. Finally, Waupun Festivals his hosting an evening of comedy improv on Saturday, April 27, 2019, featuring “Direct from Chicago” The Second City Comedy troupe. Doors open at 5 pm with the show beginning at 7 pm. Tickets can be purchased online at www.hometowntickets.com. See you around town!