APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV) – Shelves that would normally hold hundreds of pieces of restoration equipment are sitting nearly empty at a Fox Valley business, as crews respond to a sharp rise in flooding cases across Wisconsin.
Authorities across northeast Wisconsin share one common message amid ongoing flooding
At JG Restoration in Appleton, project manager Rylan Reoh said demand has surged dramatically in recent days.
“It went from about 30 phone calls to hundreds. I’d estimate about 200 to 300 calls. It’s pretty insane,” Reoh said.
The company typically stocks around 600 pieces of equipment, but most of it is now deployed at job sites as teams work to address widespread water damage.
From flooded basements to sewer backups, the impact is being felt across multiple communities. Workers at JG restoration said calls have come in from Wausau, Stevens Point and Madison, as well as from New London, Clintonville, Manawa and De Pere.
“We’ve got a lot, and we are expanding our resources,” sales and marketing manager Kristina Kobierecki said.
Restoration experts say quick action is critical to minimizing damage. Removing water as soon as possible and documenting losses for insurance purposes can help reduce long-term costs.
The longer water remains, the greater the risk of mold growth. Reoh said costs can range widely, from about $1,500 to $15,000, with an average around $6,500.
Flood ravaged communities prepare for things to get worse
Despite the long hours and growing workload, crews say helping residents recover makes the effort worthwhile.
“I’m truly grateful for how much the community has come together, and how neighbors are helping neighbors,” Kobierecki said.
