Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By RICHARD JENKINS
Hurley — The towns of Gurney and Saxon have declared a state of emergency following Wednesday’s ice storm, enabling them to qualify for state funds for the clean-up effort.
The declarations are required to receive funds from the Wisconsin Disaster Fund, according to Iron County Emergency Management Director Stacy Ofstad.
“It’s a source for the towns (to get reimbursed) some money when it’s a small enough event it doesn’t need state or federal designation,” Ofstad said. “It’s ... a mechanism to help the small communities out.”
Ofstad estimated there was around $8,000 to $9,000 in eligible damage in the two towns; primarily in overtime pay, equipment usage and materials.
Gurney was hit the hardest in the ice storm, Ofstad said, including a 42-hour power outage.
The town chairman is responsible for issuing the declaration, Ofstad said, which then must later be ratified by the town board. Gurney has completed the necessary paperwork, Ofstad said. Saxon is expected to sign the paperwork later Monday, having already verbally issued the declaration, according to Ofstad.
Last summer, Oma and Anderson used the Wisconsin Disaster Fund after sustaining wind damage in a July 21 storm.
