MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — The line at the Milwaukee Department of Public Works north drop-off center in Milwaukee has been backed up for days.

"I got in line at noon, and now it's 12:43," said Caleb Chmielewski, who spent his Thursday afternoon there.

"We've had a trailer for a few years, and it comes in handy for stuff like this," he said.

Chmielewski was not there for himself. His trailer was packed high with drywall and carpet from his neighbor's basement.

"He had a few inches of water, and when he lost power in his basement, the sump pump just didn't have any battery backup or anything," he explained.

It was important for him to use his time to lighten the load for others.

"You want to try to ease the pain as much as possible for everybody," Chmielewski said.

Many in the drop-off line were doing the same.

"If you see on the back of our trailer, you see a bunch of stuff that got damaged, wet, and it was very heavy," said Jessie Wilson, as he dropped off ruins from a senior apartment complex. "Everybody needs the help today to get the stuff out of their basements."

Trucks, trailers, and U-Hauls were used to rid homes of waterlogged piles of possessions.

"It's junk now, but it wasn't at first," said David Hoskins. "Electronics, Christmas tree."

"I had a couple mattresses, a lot of carpet, people's basements are flooded, tile floors, I've had to take out everything," said a woman named Yapah, who owns a business called Ladyy Hauler. "I haven't had a chance to get to my house yet, so this is from local residents."

While some drivers are hired to haul, others are just lending a lift where they can.

"It's just kind of how we do. It's the Milwaukee way," Chmielewski said.

The Milwaukee drop-off centers are free for residents through Sunday, August 17, with extended hours from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.