Around mid-day on October 29, the Village President and staff were notified of a special marine weather forecast by County Emergency Management officials. The forecast indicated that dangerous high waves of 14 to 18 feet were anticipated along the Lake Michigan shoreline in the southeastern most part of Wisconsin. A Village team gathered to discuss how the forecasted conditions could impact the lakeshore area in Pleasant Prairie.
The team took into consideration the level of the water in Lake Michigan, the anticipated wave height, and the actual mapped elevation of homes along the Lake Michigan shoreline when determining what course of action to take in response to the marine weather message. The forecasted circumstances would have impacted a substantial number of homes near the Lake Michigan shoreline in Pleasant Prairie with flooding. Along with flooding concerns, the team considered additional dangers to the public related to electrical and natural gas utilities, access to homes by emergency personnel, and structural impacts of water surges coming ashore.
The Village began the process of notifying impacted residents of the recommended course of action. The Village issued a voluntary evacuation advisory for residents in the area of where the flooding would have occurred had waves reached the forecasted height at the shoreline. The Village also began a sandbag operation to provide residents with sandbags to help reduce the potential for property damage to homes. An Emergency Operations Center was established by Kenosha County Emergency Management to handle any potential outcome to the situation. Many individuals and businesses volunteered time and energy to assist lakeshore residents with sandbags.
As the forecasts were updated with lower wave heights the Village issued revised updates for residents. Revised forecasts predicted lower wave heights along the shoreline due to a change in the direction of the wind. The weather event ended with no negative impact. The Village would like to thank all of the individuals, businesses and neighboring municipalities for their concern for lakeshore residents and their willingness to offer assistance during this time period. Staff also urges residents to please consider signing up for emergency alerts via text and/or email at Nixle.com.