The Post-Apocalyptic Roadmap/Wisconsin

Part of the Post-Apocalyptic Roadmap Project.

Appleton

It's been a few years since the split. I was stranded in Minneapolis for almost half a year, the buses were all commandeered for mass-evacuations down in the Chicago area. Eventually I got back home, and was grateful to see that not too much had changed. Downtown College avenue was swamped with refugees from Milwaukee and Madison, though those cities had not been hit, they suffered nonetheless from the panic riots and a general fear of possibly being hit later. The parks were similarly crowded. The Performance Arts Center had by then been claimed as a base of operations and management center of the CGUS, who were handling aid for the refugees. Appleton natives were asked to provide what they could to this end. The refugees have mostly cleared out now that it's clear there won't be another strike anytime soon. Some stayed and have become a part of the community, while others along with some native Appleton residents moved further north to join the dispersed farming communities that have become popular since the split. CGUS still holds the PAC, and has been working along with the staff of Lawrence University to provide "post-crisis education seminars" frequently, as most local schools have been abandoned, though some people still aren't too happy about CGUS presence, they seem to think that the midwestern states can take care of themselves, and I've heard some talk of seceding to Canada. I've noticed folk like that tend to take walks down Olde Oneida street towards the river locks late at night...

CGUS has also been trying to place the Appleton Paper mills under military control, but they've had little luck there as martial law is no longer under effect. Fox River Mall and Northland Mall have generally been abandoned, there were some small looting riots from what I hear, and businesses have consolidated towards the more populated areas, people don't drive anymore unless they going somewhere far, so there's not much reason to go out there.

Fond du Lac

Mostly wiped off the face off the Earth, thank god.

Madison

Stay away. Please, for your life, stay away.

Milwaukee

If you are reading this then read it very carefully. If you are in the Milwaukee area, city, suburb, whatever, be warned, it is a madhouse. I am writing this from inside the impromptu fortress of Marquette University, one of the few safe refuges in the downtown area. Most of the streets have fallen under control of gangs, and traveling is never done alone, unless you think you can handle it, though I've yet to meet anyone with enough firepower. Outside the fort, most people have become barbaric, while we try to maintain a semblance of civilization. I hear UWM's fortified themselves too. If you find yourself here, you're more than welcome to stay, but don't expect much help when it comes to a ride somewhere.

Neenah & Menasha

Neenah foundry is put to good use, Menasha, not so much.

Oshkosh

Just near the edge of the blast, refugees pour in here, an abundance of military vehicles from the nearby Oshkosh Truck Corporation makes it a no brainer as a base of operations.

Racine

++CENSORED++

Ripon

Ripon is a small town about seventy miles northeast of Milwaukee, about twenty miles west of Fond du Lac and about forty miles southwest of Appleton. Its population was just under 8,000, though now only 3,000 remain. The majority of its people left to go elsewhere, mostly to go to places that were either safer or to be with family. The city of Ripon was always a fairly quiet community of suburban households, modest businesses and farms. Its people were level-headed, for the most part, and crime was low. Since most of the population left, those that remained decided to sensibly organize and figure out what to do from there. Since contact with the outside world was limited, Ripon's people began making use of the freed-up houses and businesses.

The first order of business was to organize the remaining police and extremely small military presence into a defense force while the civilians and farmers drew out exact figures for the land of Ripon, as well as their own properties, simultaneously taking a complete census of everyone in the town, not missing a single person. The city of Ripon and the town of Ripon were both united under one common name. A large wall was constructed around the town, with gated openings on the roads. Vehicles were relatively put out of use, save for patrol cars. Gasoline was taken from each household, as that was a commodity that was certain to run out.

The people instead turned to walking and biking to get around town. Since there was almost no looting, the streets and sidewalks were clean enough and a city-wide cleanup cleared out any areas that were dangerous. The farmers were set to work on their crops, and since the majority of people who held jobs now found themselves jobless, so the newly-appointed mayor set about organizing a thorough and effective rationing of all the food in the grocery stores. The food would be handed out freely, in appropriate doses, to ensure its lasting. Though hunting in Ripon’s many surrounding forests had declined, it too turned out to be an active and useful hobby for the people, providing food and animal skins. Fishing in the lakes and rivers within town yielded small, yet modest food. The people of Ripon and its new defense force were very strict in the implementation of these policies, and thieves of food were quickly punished. Those who argued with the ration were given the option to leave, though most didn’t.

Many buildings have been repurposed, though many of them serve the same function. Lots of factories have been raided for equipment, however, to be used in the development or protection of the town. The schools still educate what children remain. The hospital serves its same purpose, as does the police station and town hall. All of the fast-food places have been shut down, save for a select few that can still offer its food to the people. Most restaurants remain open, but are subject to the rationing rule. Many places of entertainment are unchanged, like the bowling alley or the Campus Movie Theater.

In the face of Armageddon, the people of Ripon surprisingly turned out alright. With the crops providing them a future supply of food for when the stores run out, Ripon is quick to ensure their safety and protection from the outside world. They keep to themselves, patrolling their walls and the gates of the town, only letting in family members, past residents of the city or scouts to other places. They have run the numbers, and know that their long-term survival is based on their low population, which also helps to maintain order. Ripon has had limited contact with most other cities, due to them wishing to remain to themselves. Any cars along the highway that runs through the town are allowed to pass through, but are closely watched to ensure that they do not stop.

Rumors of Ripon’s food and protected walls have attracted people, for better or for worse. Mostly, they come in isolated pockets, usually one or two families. Other, darker times have shown large groups of people who are largely unwilling to comply with the laws of the town, and are thus not allowed entrance. Very few times has the wall been compromised and the town forced to defend itself, as usually a few warning shots will cause the other crowds to disperse.

Ripon will not stand in the face of military involvement, should it come, however no military forces have come to Ripon. Ripon’s leaders have decided that if some higher force reestablishes order, Ripon will be compliant with the new government.