FEMA wraps up field assessments over the weekend; residents concerned some neighborhoods weren't visited

CBS 58

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- Federal investigators from FEMA say they have finished field assessments in southeastern Wisconsin for flood damage, but some residents say no one stopped by their communities to speak with them.

Natalie Gilhuber has lived in West Allis for over a decade, but these days, she says she’s just getting by.

“There’s still so much. It’s like every time you think something’s done, you still find more stuff,” said Gilhuber. “Like for our house, we still have no power.”

Down the street, Terry Schimke agrees.

“We’re all, everyone here is in the same boat,” said Schimke.

Both Schimke and Gilhuber say they’ve been waiting for federal emergency management agency officials to assess their homes for flood damage, but officials never arrived in their neighborhood.

“Yeah. Yeah, I’m very frustrated with it,” said Gilhuber.

“I feel kinda kicked in the gut,” said Schimke.

Last week, six FEMA teams went door to door to speak to residents about the damage they faced. The data collected could help southeastern Wisconsin get relief money.

“It’s bad enough that the flood happened, but then to have people just supposedly have came, it’s like they just passed you right by,” said Schimke.

Previously, FEMA officials stated they didn’t need to see every home, just “enough” to assess the damage caused by flooding. FEMA officials say this is just one step in a process that could take several months in entirety to complete.

In a statement, FEMA told CBS 58 field assessments wrapped up over the weekend, but Schimke and Gilhuber say they’re worried officials didn’t spend enough time in town.

“I’ve been out here looking every day and never came through here. Filled out all the paperwork, haven’t heard nothing and now they left town?” said Gilhuber.

Both say they hope relief comes soon.

“There’s no way I could afford to repair this,” said Schimke.

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