FREEDOM, Wis. (NBC 26) — In the Town of Freedom, there's major storm damage across Highway S. And some residents can't even get their vehicles out of the driveway because of downed power lines.
"We don't have any power obviously, because our power lines are down," resident Lindsey Eickhoff said. "They told us it'll be about a week. Hopefully it won't be that long."
Eickhoff says her fiance grew up in the couple's current home.
"We moved his mom into my house in Little Chute, and we bought this house and we've been here about two years," she said. "So thank God she wasn't here. Because it wouldn't have been pleasant for her to be here by herself."
Eickhoff says Wednesday's storm unfolded in a matter of five minutes. The roof blew off her shed and flew across the street.
"His dad was a woodworker and he made all these wooden chairs and stuff," she said. "And all that woodwork and stuff is buried."
The damage didn't stop there. She says her insurance won't cover downed trees.
"We've been working at it all day, and we've hardly touched the surface," Eickhoff said.
Tom Murphy lives right across the street in Outagamie County, where a state of emergency was declared.
"It was a mess, but the important thing is nobody got hurt," Murphy said.
The county's Emergency Management says We Energies is bringing in employees from different states, but it might be days before some areas see their power restored.
"In the area of Highway S and Highway 55, terrible," Emergency Management Director Paula Rieder said. "They were really hit hard last night."
Throughout the next week, residents and crews will have to deal with the aftermath.
"Be good neighbors," Rieder said. "Check on your neighbors. See if they have power. If they don't have power, make sure they're doing okay, especially those that are elderly."
