WAUPUN, Wis. — Waupun, Wis., is still recovering after several inches of rain fell in the city over the weekend, leaving many parts underwater.

What You Need To Know

  • Several inches of rain fell in Waupun this weekend, causing widespread flooding throughout the city

  • The 2008 floods in Waupun were the costliest disaster in the city's recent history

  • The city is making plans to move this weekend’s Celebrate Waupun Festival because of the lingering high waters

Residents and the city continue drying out and cleaning up as they brace for the possibility of more storms.

Jeremy Vanderwoody tossed soggy household remnants from this weekend’s heavy rains in the Waupun city dump.

“Carpet in the finished basement, the baseboards, probably four inches or so of the drywall in the basement,” Vanderwoody said.

Vanderwoody said the flood waters were just too much for his home’s sump pump.

He’s not alone.

Jon Elibes is taking time from his regular job at Dobbert Sign and Lighting in Brownsville, Wis., to help residents with flooded basements. He said he’s been inundated with calls.

“My phone doesn’t stop making noise. You don’t hear it right now because I don’t have it on me, but if I did, it would be making a lot of noise right now,” Elibes said.

Elibes was saddened to see his hometown underwater and wanted to help out. He said he hopes others are inspired to pitch in as well.

“I’m hoping to lead by example and show the rest of Waupun and all the other communities in the area that there are good people out there willing to help,” Elibes said.

Waupun Mayor Rohn Bishop issued a disaster declaration after the city’s sewer systems couldn’t keep up with the rising waters.

“We had storm sewers that couldn’t take the water fast enough. The river overdid its banks. The creek went over its banks. The sanitary sewer started to back up, and we brought in every available city employee we had on both public works and utilities to divert water, to pump water,” Bishop said.

Volunteers are helping residents get their drenched belongings to the city’s dumpsters as more rain is being forecasted for Waupun.

Bishop said the city’s emergency personnel are on standby, but he’s not looking forward to possibly more precipitation.

“I just wish it would stop raining; otherwise, we’re gonna start building an arc out here,” Bishop said.

Just as Vanderwoody managed to stop the flood waters at his home, he said he’s taking the threat of more rain in stride.

“Not great, but what do you do with Mother Nature?” Vanderwoody said.

Bishop said the city is making plans to move this weekend’s Celebrate Waupun Festival because of the lingering high waters.

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