December 29, 2021 – Dodge Co., WI – UPDATE at 8:15 p.m.: The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office has been notified that due to the gas leak north of Juneau, natural gas will be shut off to about 1,100 homes in the City of Juneau and the surrounding area. A warming shelter for residents who will be without heat because of the gas being shut off will be at the Horicon High School, 841 Grey St, Horicon, and will be open throughout the night. Sheriff’s office staff will be on sight to assist residents at the High School along with the Red Cross. It is advisable to bring along sleeping bags, blankets, and pillows.
It is anticipated the repairs will last at least 8 hours, but certainly could be longer depending on how things go. Detours of traffic will remain in place throughout the night.
Around 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, a traffic crash occurred on STH 26 near the airport, about 1 mile north of Juneau in Dodge County. The crash caused damage to a natural gas pipe above the ground, creating a significant leak of natural gas.
Evacuations of a 1-mile radius have occurred, and notifications have been given to all residents in person and through RAVE messages.
As a result of this leak, natural gas to the City of Juneau has been shut off, and electricity had been temporarily shut off, as well.
As of 4:30 p.m., natural gas is anticipated to be off for a long period of time, possibly overnight. Electricity was recently restored, but it is not yet known if electricity may need to be temporarily turned off during the repairs.
A warming shelter is being established at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 950 Washington St, Horicon (on STH 33 on the west side of Horicon). The warming shelter will be open until at least 7:30 p.m. At that time, it will be reevaluated if it will remain open longer.
There will be long-term road closures in and around the Juneau area due to this incident.
Unified Command has been established involving Emergency Management, Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, and Juneau Fire Departments.
Updated releases will be sent out, as updates are available and necessary.
Questions may be directed to Sheriff Dale J. Schmidt.
