Bayfield County Highway Department honored for work to repair flood damage

Bayfield County has confirmed a disaster declaration and state of emergency as a result of the June 19 flooding.

County Administrator Mark Abeles-Allison hopes this measure enables the county to obtain relief funding to help fund repairs.

Over an eight-hour period, flash flooding overwhelmed culverts and washed out state, county and municipal highway and roadways. Sections of Highway 13, including sections west of Cornucopia and east of Myer’s Beach together with Highway C south of Cornucopia were impassable. The following morning, county highway department crew members began repairs.

The section east of Myer’s Beach required special equipment that arrived on-site by that Friday to make necessary repairs.

By June 26, Highway 13 was back open and all roadways are open as of July 3. The Bayfield County Board of Supervisors commemorated the highway department for their efforts in the form of a resolution.

“(The board) sincerely thanks the Bayfield County Highway Department for their immediate response and expedient work,” a resolution states.

Highway Commissioner Bob Anderson honored his staff.

“The dedication and skill that our people have is mind-blowing,” he said.