GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – “Probably about 5 feet I would think,” Suzanne Wolfe estimates that’s the amount of water in her basement.
Wolfe and her family had two hoses pumping water out of their home. She reminices with FOX 11 about the flood of 1990 and that removing the water is the easy part.
“The hardest part wasn’t getting all the water out, it was cleaning up down there. Sadly, the East River is not a clean river. It coats everything.”
Of course, some things are a total loss.
“We have to find out the state of the water heater and the furnace.”
It wasn’t long before the firefighters made their way to Wolfe’s home and put up a condemned sign. Bright pink ‘condemned’ signs were posted on every door on their block.
They were asked to leave until a licensed electrician arrived. As the flood waters continue to drop, some of the more permanent damage is becoming clearer. The pressure of the floodwaters tore out the foundation on one home.
Some homes still have more than a foot of water inside.
“The water levels in the East River to appear to have dropped significantly, unfortunately we still have standing water throughout some of these areas in the neighborhoods,” said Green Bay Metro Fire Department’s Assistant Chief, Rob Goplin.
Farther east, in the Town of Eaton, a sinkhole was caused by a drain that runs underneath the road. Many roads affected by flooding remained closed Saturday, whether it was because of sitting water or more permanent damage.
Back in Green Bay, the Mason Street Bridge is closed while they check for structural damage.
“Just the impact of the flooding we want to make sure that bridge is safe for vehicular traffic,” said Goplin.
Whether it’s water under the bridge or on the roads, it’s clear more clean up still needs to be done.
Officials say Approximately 80 to 100 people were evacuated because of floodwaters.
As of Saturday evening, the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs said 20 to 30 people were staying at Community Church in Fond du Lac County.
Six people were staying at Preble High School.
