Historic rainfall over the weekend has triggered widespread flooding across Milwaukee County, where a river flood warning remains in effect as residents confront the devastating aftermath.
For one family on Milwaukee’s northwest side, the severe weather resulted in a terrifying ordeal. Mai Vang said floodwaters began pouring into her basement around 2:30 a.m. Sunday. Shortly after, she heard the sound of her home cracking and managed to escape with her daughter just moments before the foundation collapsed into the basement.
Outside, 60th Street was inundated, with cars nearly submerged in the floodwaters. Vang reported helping others escape from their stranded vehicles. With rescue efforts hampered by the high water, she and others were forced to seek safety on higher ground.
“We all started walking to the gas station, just taking cover because it was a higher level,” Vang recalled. “Family couldn’t rescue because water was everywhere, and they are like, we can’t get through. But we can’t sit here because we are going to freeze to death – we are all soaking wet.”
The Vang family is now staying with relatives, facing the daunting task of recovery. “We lost everything,” she said. “We are just trying to save what we can – but we are just thankful to the Lord that every one of us made it out alive.”
The damage extends throughout the region. In Oak Creek, significant flooding along the Root River has forced the closure of several streets. Authorities continue to monitor the situation as communities begin to assess the full extent of the damage.
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