The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest has issued an emergency closure order for roads, trails, dispersed and developed recreation sites in the area of a storm that hit last weekend in northern Wisconsin. (Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest photo)

MADISON, WIS. — Widespread storms last week brought torrential rains, strong winds, downed trees, damaged buildings, at least 16 tornadoes, and left thousands of people without power across a wide area of Wisconsin.

As a result, several campgrounds, recreational trails, roads and lakes are closed.

The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest has issued an emergency closure order for roads, trails, dispersed and developed recreation sites in the area of the storm. Currently, Bagley Rapids and Boot Lake campgrounds in Oconto County are closed until further notice due to the extensive damage.

Travelers scheduled to visit storm impacted counties should contact local officials for specific details and information as closures may affect upcoming plans.

Due to debris and downed trees, visitors should not enter closed properties to look at the damage. Doing so is extremely dangerous considering trees may still fall. Please stay clear of any Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources forestry staff conducting chainsaw work and dozer operations on roadways and state-owned lands.

Wisconsin Emergency Management continues to monitor and support power restoration across the state. Debris removal operations are also still underway.

Several counties have declared a State of Emergency in response to the storm damage, including Clark, Langlade, Menominee, Oconto, Outagamie, Polk, Portage, Sawyer and Vernon counties. In addition to counties, several communities in the affected areas have also issued local disaster declarations.

For more information on closures in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, go to the July 2019 storm closure update on the forest service website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/cnnf/landmanagement/?cid=fseprd644781.