NEILLSVILLE, Wis. (AP) – Clark County’s emergency management director says there was no sign of fatigue or deterioration of a county road that washed out, killing three motorists.

Michelle Hartness says a flash flood hit the area Wednesday night, causing a 50-foot wide section of road to collapse and wash away. Hartness says the culvert underneath the road showed no signs of erosion last week when a highway mowing crew was there.

The county is mandated to inspect bridges every two years, but not culverts. WSAW-TV says the culvert and section of County Road M that washed away is expected to be repaired within two to four weeks.

A Milwaukee couple and a Thorp woman died when their trucks fell 12 to 15 feet into the ravine and became partially submerged.

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