In mid-February 2021, Prism Specialties of Greater Wisconsin and Western U.P. received a water pipe break claim at a high-end waterfront home that sits just 40 feet off Lake Superior on Madeline Island, Wis. The first decision to be made would be made by the weather: Ice road or ferry? Would the temperature stay low enough to ensure safety on the ice road? Or would the temperatures be warm enough to ensure ferry transportation would not be hampered by ice masses? 

At the time of the initial notification, the ice roads needed to commute to the island were closed due to the seasonal thaw. During the same period, boat harbors on the island and mainland had stopped ferry operation due to ice in the open water. Additionally, Ashland County, Wis., had weight limits in place for all county roads in and around Bayfield, Wis. (the mainland harbor location) and Madeline Island (the destination).