The Fond du Lac Fire Department is working to rescue people from flooded roads and homes near the Fond du Lac River as water rises Thursday morning.
Just before 9 a.m., Fond du Lac Fire/Rescue Chief Peter O'Leary confirmed authorities are evacuating an apartment complex situated along the river on Western Avenue. Some residences in the area of Elm and Oak streets, between Western and South Street were also evacuated, and "some utilities" were shut off, he said.
"If you know someone who lives in this area, check on them," O'Leary told a USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin reporter at the scene. O'Leary added that some evacuations are mandatory, for the safety of the people and the responders.
"If we shut their utilities off and they stay too long, they may not be able to get out, and that causes a problem," he said. "We’re going to do what we need to do to keep them safe."
Western Avenue between Oak and Military street is closed to traffic, said Erin Gerred, Fond du Lac County’s Director of Administration. The parking lot at the City County Government Center is also flooded.