The Milbank Fire and Rescue Department was busy Friday, August 18th. A storm pounded the area with rain and hail and caused widespread damage and flooding. Total rainfall was 2.69 inches, according to Dick Poppen, an employee for the City of Milbank at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Fire Chief Kevin Schuelke reported, the department was called to a broken power line between NAPA and Hedahl’s. “It was a bad deal. A power line broke off which presented a fire hazard. Breakers blew and OtterTail Power had to be called in to repair the lines. We closed Highway 15 to allow them to work safely. They were on site until 12:30 a.m.”
Schuelke said after the department blocked off that area, they proceeded to block off other roadways where flooding had occurred. “The remainder of the time, we spent helping people stranded in cars submerged in water.”