Governor visits Red Cross shelter as region awaits long term disaster relief, families face uncertain short term futures
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- As the community continues to recover from historic flooding, we are now starting to see the difference in short term needs vs long term needs.
It could take months for the federal relief funding to make its way here. But in the meantime, families are fighting battles just to make it through each day with a place to stay, gas in the car, or a meal to eat.
We met Janine Bellamy as she cleared out her home near 62nd and Villard. The pile of items she has to throw away covered her yard and a neighbor's. She told us it was "Over 45 years' worth of memories and keepsakes. Just a lot gone down the drain."
Much of Bellamy's life is on the curb, generations' worth of family treasure that will have to be trashed. Trip after trip, she and her loved ones retrieved waterlogged and moldy memories they'll never get back.
But they survived.
"It was very traumatizing," she said, "but we’re all safe."
And they want to rebuild the home her father bought in 1942.
For now, she and her mother are staying in a cousin's one-bedroom apartment. Her daughter, her husband and their four children are with an uncle. Bellamy said, "Right now we're split up. Everyone's kind of here and there."
But many more people do not have a place to stay.
About 40 people will stay overnight at a Red Cross shelter at Milwaukee Marshall High School, but volunteers say their population is increasing.
Thursday was Kris Ponciroli's first day as a volunteer. She had applied weeks earlier, but after the flood, the Red Cross called her immediately.
She told us people at the shelter "doing as best as they can. Several have asked, 'How long are you going to be open?' Because I think there is that concern."
Many more come and go throughout the day for meals.
A Red Cross representative said they are prepared to provide shelter for as long as it is needed.
Governor Tony Evers visited with clients and volunteers Thursday as the state waits on FEMA to respond to his request for aid.
Governor Evers told us, "The need here is clear. The need here is significant. And we need to get this done."
The next required step in what could be a long road to securing federal relief is FEMA investigators assessing the damage.
A FEMA spokesperson said their team will now go over the data the Governor submitted Wednesday, then determine when and where federal investigators will assess damage.
But there is no set timeline or deadline.
Governor Evers said, "We're pushing the President and FEMA and Washington DC to do this as quickly as possible."
And pressure is being applied from both sides of the aisle: Democrats Senator Tammy Baldwin and Congresswoman Gwen Moore, and Republican Congressman Bryan Steil called on FEMA to act in a joint letter Thursday.
As the region waits, leaders continue urging people to report their damage.
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said at a news conference, "To accurately prove the extent of this damage, we need everyone, everyone in this community that has been impacted to make report reports."
But that relief could take months, if it's approved at all.
In the meantime, too many families are living by the hour, counting dollars and meals, and blessings.
Bellamy told us, "I'm mentally, physically, and emotionally drained. But I have faith. And I love my family and I love my community so I'll keep pushing."