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Madison -- Gov. Jim Doyle declared a state of emergency in Buffalo, Jackson, Marathon, Portage and Wood counties on Friday following strong storms that caused flooding in the area.
Seven counties are currently under a state of emergency. Doyle announced a state of emergency in Clark and Trempealeau counties on Thursday.
According to state officials, Wisconsin's Emergency Management and Department of Natural Resources officials are working with the National Guard to assist in recovery efforts.
State officials say the declaration is a response to widespread flooding and storm damage in the affected counties. The storms caused damage to homes and businesses, flooding roads and bringing down power lines.
In Clark County, officials have reported at least three bridges washed away and damage estimates nearing $500,000.
Black River Expected To Crest Sunday
Flooding concerns also included some residents near Black River Falls, which is seeing near-record flooding levels.
The area has about 80 homes and several apartment buildings. Emergency crews evacuated a part of the city on Thursday night and late Friday afternoon.
There's no flooding yet, but some homes do have water in their basements, officials said.
The Black River is expected to crest on Sunday at more than 61 feet. Flood stage is at 47 feet, officials said.
River Still Rising In Evacuated Arcadia
Traffic was flowing again Friday in downtown Arcadia in western Wisconsin
The 3-foot flood waters had receded dramatically by Friday morning in the area, but the concerns had turned to the swollen Trempealeau River, which had nearly reached the top of the city's two main bridges. Flooding on Thursday washed out roads and bridges, downed power lines and damaged infrastructure.
Two elementary schools in Arcadia have canceled classes for the second day in a row because of flooding, and two highways leading into town have been closed.
Residents stood on the banks snapping photos as emergency workers moved sandbags into the area. Many residents of a small western Wisconsin community spent the night away from home while sheriff's deputies kept an eye on a rising river that runs through town.
County emergency officials evacuated several hundred homes and affecting 1,5000 residents on Thursday as floodwaters surged through the city's downtown area.
Tara Toulou, 37, lives near the river and said she has over 2 feet of water in her basement. She saide she hopes her house doesn't get washed away.
Sheriff's Deputy Dustin Stevens said Friday the Trempealeau River continues to rise and may not crest until Sunday. The Red Cross opened a shelter at a church on higher ground in Arcadia.
It's not clear when residents could be allowed back into their homes.
The community of about 2,400 people is located 100 miles southeast of Minneapolis.
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