'It's tough': Apartment power outage to last 3 weeks, tenants forced to relocate

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — It's been a week since floodwaters devastated southeastern Wisconsin.

Now, many people are wondering what comes next.

Residents of one West Allis apartment complex are still facing uncertainty about where they'll live and how long the recovery will take.

"I went yesterday to get some more clothes. It's so hot in there, it's unbearable," said Dena Deberry, Element 84 resident.

When the floods hit, water rushed into the Element 84's underground garage.

"By the time we realized that there was that much floodwater, it was too late for us to get our vehicles out," said Ashley Schweda, Element 84 resident.

Not only were roughly 50 cars in the garage a loss, but the flood also knocked out power for tenants.

"The hallways smell, everything smells like what you would assume hot, humid water that was sitting in there for 20 hours draining and not being cleaned up yet," said Schweda.

Losing power hasn't been easy for Ashley Schweda and her family.

"It's tough having your kids in this routine of bedtime, their mealtimes, bath, it's tough," said Schweda.

To help, the apartment building booked a hotel for residents.

"I have a feeling because they booked the hotel through October, it will be that long," said Schweda.

However, not everyone was able to get a room.

"They said they couldn't get an idea when they would have availability," said Deberry.

Dena Deberry is able to stay with family until she moves into another apartment.

"Routines are disrupted and you're in personal space, it's not like having your own," said Deberry.

She says she lost more than her car and apartment.

"My church home was lost in the flood too, places where you want to feel safe are also ruined."

On Monday, Schweda stopped by the apartment to make the hotel feel like home.

"We are going to be living in a hotel for who knows how long. Just to make sure my kids are comfortable and have some sort of normalcy," said Schweda.

United Way of Wisconsin urges anyone affected by the floods to call 211 for local resources and to find housing and food pantries.