Exploring Elroy Wisconsin, One of America's abandoned no go zones forgotten by FEMA

While riding my dirt bike out one day I came across a street that was unusually quiet. After talking to some residents, it became clear that the story of this road was something that had to get out. As of now FEMA still has yet to give the people of this street the compensation they need, and the houses, have yet to be demolished, all these years later. I got permission to explore this street by the residents of the town and church. If you come here, please be mindful that in every house, people once lived...

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  • @arielatarantino6671
    @arielatarantino66712 жыл бұрын

    Never knew about this and I live here in Wisconsin. Shows how much even local news truly cares.

  • @chrism8180

    @chrism8180

    2 жыл бұрын

    They don't care about poor people

  • @nicholasgoble9716

    @nicholasgoble9716

    2 жыл бұрын

    I live in Wisconsin as well and never heard about this

  • @gothby9815

    @gothby9815

    2 жыл бұрын

    Live in Wi did know about the flooding because of the news out of la crosse. Didnt know thing were still in that bad of shape. Although its only been 2 years and these things take time.

  • @Metalbass10000

    @Metalbass10000

    2 жыл бұрын

    I live in Wisconsin also and had never heard about how these people have been left with no help

  • @mista414

    @mista414

    2 жыл бұрын

    Same here

  • @jeffreyminor4701
    @jeffreyminor47012 жыл бұрын

    We had a (every hundred years) flood in 2006 in N.E. Ohio. No flood insurance. FEMA gave us $2,000 for home/property. We got a mop, squeegee, broom combo and a towel from the Red Cross. We still laugh about the "help" we got. I can totally understand why people moved away from New Orleans and never went back after Hurricane Katrina.

  • @ratslayer110

    @ratslayer110

    2 жыл бұрын

    That's Ohio for ya

  • @jjakfamily

    @jjakfamily

    2 жыл бұрын

    That's what is always said. We had a 100 year flood in 2016 in Baton Rouge. La . My wife and I lived in flood zone x so no flood insurance. We received $3,200 for 2 cars and our home with all belongings. That's when I truly understood the govt does not care about us.

  • @earlyre

    @earlyre

    2 жыл бұрын

    Bluffton/Ottawa, etc? (Blanchard River) I remember that flood. One of my sister's friends had a basement apt in Ottawa, flooded out, so she moved to a second floor apt in Cols. Grove. The next summer a Tornado took off the front wall of that building... Not sure where she ended up after that...

  • @GeckoHiker

    @GeckoHiker

    2 жыл бұрын

    Can anyone share why people build and live in flood zones? I live well out of a local flood plain but an entire neighborhood nearby was built on bottom land by a creek. They flood every year, sometimes multiple times, and most are renters.

  • @lenorebritton4973

    @lenorebritton4973

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@debb4099 Not true. I hate to hear this rumor about illegals. What the government does is give the people of Asian and Indian decent (India) money to live without paying taxes for 5 years while they get their businesses started, then these same people after 5 years move and give the business to kin and this kin have 5 years of tax free fare and the world turns......

  • @mesquitetejas8328
    @mesquitetejas83282 жыл бұрын

    Wow, this is sad..And listing to the older gentleman speak about his experience..40 yrs of memory's gone..

  • @demonhearts4610
    @demonhearts46102 жыл бұрын

    I lived in elroy , it was my home town... the whole town wasn't abandon just that part of the street it is in one of the worse flooding zones with the baraboo River and small marsh near by. Most farming was done on the upper hills but the residents that lived on the hills were safe, it doesn't surprise me the town starting to be abandon. It isn't the best place to live and they don't care about the people there.....

  • @donnafountain4471
    @donnafountain44712 жыл бұрын

    How does this happen to American's when we literally give trillions in aid to other countries for disaster relief. This is an absolute nightmare even for those of us who didn't experience it! We have got to get this government under control!!!!

  • @FoulPet

    @FoulPet

    2 жыл бұрын

    America is bankrupt living off credit cards and still continues to apply for more cards.

  • @michaelcoffey5645

    @michaelcoffey5645

    2 жыл бұрын

    @Lujan FYI the United States spends a total of 0.06% of our GDP on Israel. 99.7% of that is military aid which is money kept in the US since Israel spends the money on American built planes and other defense equipment. Our government is simply subsidizing the defense industry which keeps Americans working.

  • @michellegarry1872

    @michellegarry1872

    2 жыл бұрын

    “Disaster relief” to line the pockets of corrupt government “officials.” The people never see a dime. Just ask La Palmans about their corrupt Spanish government.

  • @johnclamshellsp1969

    @johnclamshellsp1969

    2 жыл бұрын

    When Donald J Trump was in office, he did cut wasted tax payer spending in other country's.Billions saved. However the corrupt politicians absolutely hated this because the "kickbacks" went away. With our current administration, it truly is America Last.

  • @densebread

    @densebread

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@michaelcoffey5645 man, 3.5 billion dollars each year going to Israel to bomb Palestinian women and children (Israel being rightfully theirs) is kinda ridiculous. That billions should be going to America and it's citizens, not foreign aid. And don't get me started how 24 out of 27 hedgefund investors in america (mind you, so damn rich they can determine the outcome of the entire country) are Israelis. Why do we send so much money to foreign countries, and why do foreigners have financial power in our country? Sucks.

  • @mc14m33
    @mc14m332 жыл бұрын

    Interesting side note, the former governor of the state of Wisconsin, Tommy Thompson, was born and raised in Elroy Wisconsin. He went on to serve as Secretary of health and human services, and is currently in acting interim president of the University of Wisconsin. But I guess no one can figure out how to fix this problem in Elroy Wisconsin. They just don't want to, probably because there's no money in it.

  • @RedSiegfried

    @RedSiegfried

    2 жыл бұрын

    Tommy Thompson isn't the governor anymore. A Democrat is. Elections have consequences. Ask Tony Evers what he's doing to help other than blame Trump and Coronavirus for everything that happens.

  • @ericluebbers4415

    @ericluebbers4415

    2 жыл бұрын

    Red you forgot your favorite Scott walker

  • @ericluebbers4415

    @ericluebbers4415

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@RedSiegfried I believe trump was president for the last flood also. FEMA is a federal program. Put blame where blame is due

  • @RJ1999x

    @RJ1999x

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@ericluebbers4415 butthurt?

  • @ericluebbers4415

    @ericluebbers4415

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@RJ1999x not at all just using facts. It seems you are the one that is butthurt trying to lay blame on someone else.

  • @apocyldoomer
    @apocyldoomer2 жыл бұрын

    Man, after living in your own home for 40 years than be living in an apartment, that is just awful, good luck to all of the victims of this floods!!

  • @jakejonesy9275

    @jakejonesy9275

    2 жыл бұрын

    My neighbor is 80 with a pacemaker….he redone his own house after the last hurricane…he didn’t loose his house.

  • @miapdx503

    @miapdx503

    2 жыл бұрын

    I had to move from a lovely home...two story, fireplace, it was truly lovely. I live in an apartment now, and it's nice. But it's no house 😔

  • @apocyldoomer

    @apocyldoomer

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@miapdx503 Oh man, hang in there, we’ve been thru the ringer, but not from a flood, I couldn’t imagine, you’ll get another home , best of luck to you!

  • @miapdx503

    @miapdx503

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@apocyldoomer you know, at this stage of life (I'm 62) I'll probably never have another house, but I'm blessed with memories...children and granbabies, my husband, so many wonderful memories, so I'm grateful for that. God is good 🌹

  • @apocyldoomer

    @apocyldoomer

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@miapdx503 Yes , we’ve had our share of hard times, but always made it thru somehow, Good day

  • @AFloridaSon
    @AFloridaSon2 жыл бұрын

    Interesting. Very well done. It's crazy how people haven't heard about this. Someone needs to go there and do a real in-depth documentary, and get the word out to more people, and maybe pressure FEMA into doing something for them. Thanks for bringing this to our attention.

  • @kristinatidwell6563

    @kristinatidwell6563

    2 жыл бұрын

    What's the name of the church?

  • @kristinatidwell6563

    @kristinatidwell6563

    2 жыл бұрын

    Why haven't the people who lived there haven't already emailed their requests to Nightline, 20/20, or 60 minutes?

  • @godzilla2k26

    @godzilla2k26

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@kristinatidwell6563 Are you certain they didn't?

  • @whitenoise509

    @whitenoise509

    2 жыл бұрын

    I can guarantee you this has already been tried. I know a few people from varied southern states in the US that have been victims of floods. They all share the same story of the amount of assistance given by the government, and it's definitely not much. On a side note, is it supposed to be FEMA's job to do something besides saving lives and temporary care? I don't really know anything about their mandate or mission statement.

  • @Gator777

    @Gator777

    2 жыл бұрын

    FEMA would help my brother if he needed a loan. His house was partially flooded, with many others also flooded. Only help was a loan. Useless.

  • @cynthiatolman326
    @cynthiatolman3262 жыл бұрын

    I love how you made contact with the people who lost these homes. The man at the church made me feel so sad and the woodwork was fantastic, I hope they save that. Sometimes the only answer is to let things go, people matter more

  • @InsightlyDigest

    @InsightlyDigest

    Жыл бұрын

    I know he did a great job interviewing and talking with them.

  • @upstatekennels4677
    @upstatekennels46773 жыл бұрын

    "life goes on, you just gotta keep plugging away" This strong individual amazes me. God bless him 🙏

  • @Mary-kl2kj
    @Mary-kl2kj2 жыл бұрын

    I couldn’t even imagine loosing my home after 40 years,especially to a flood. I feel for these people.

  • @bradymadden1225
    @bradymadden12252 жыл бұрын

    My father and his two brothers grew up in Elroy and we drive through there every time we go to our property. Everything is still there exactly how you see it

  • @randygunn9499
    @randygunn94992 жыл бұрын

    I'm from Minnesota and we and Wisconsin have a Viking Packer rivalry but when you see this it just crush's your heart. Dam,what a sick terrible tragedy.

  • @lizziehole8424
    @lizziehole84242 жыл бұрын

    You were very respectful -your work in sharing this situation, especially with the owner who would have appreciated having you with him to check on his house and his neighbourhood

  • @StringerMedia

    @StringerMedia

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you. I just accidentally ran into him so I didn't know what to say. I'm glad it worked out

  • @melissabryan3043
    @melissabryan30433 жыл бұрын

    My heart breaks for all but the man in the beginning talking about 40 years of memories...really broke me!💔

  • @OddGuy
    @OddGuy3 жыл бұрын

    Damn bro this is some journalistic type stuff, crazy how these people haven't been compensated 12 years later

  • @chrisstromberg6527

    @chrisstromberg6527

    Жыл бұрын

    Compensated for what? If you build or live in a flood zone and you don't purchase insurance for flooding, who should pay for this?

  • @badkitty101
    @badkitty1012 жыл бұрын

    You can see the love that people put into their homes. Its eerie that its all just left to nature now. The way that he spoke of his home of 40 years. Feel so bad for him losing all those memories in the home.

  • @conveyor2
    @conveyor23 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for this. These communities deserve to be remembered.

  • @queenfubi

    @queenfubi

    2 жыл бұрын

    The heartland is underserved

  • @redline1916

    @redline1916

    Жыл бұрын

    @@queenfubi Because our government hates us.

  • @kevinnagel68
    @kevinnagel682 жыл бұрын

    That home owner.. totally “Salt of the Earth” Wisconsinite… much respect

  • @writing_monkey6215
    @writing_monkey62152 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for making this. These kinds of places deserve to be remembered.

  • @TheDopeMemeSupply
    @TheDopeMemeSupply Жыл бұрын

    This is terrible I’m born and raised in Milwaukee and I’ve never heard about this town. As a Wisconsinite it was heartbreaking to hear that man’s story 40 years in a house of memories gone. Every family deals with it eventually my heart goes out to all the cheeseheads affected😢

  • @nolmanimates3031

    @nolmanimates3031

    Жыл бұрын

    Cheeseheads strong

  • @cunit80

    @cunit80

    Жыл бұрын

    They only care about blm. That's why u didn't hear it.

  • @brewcitymike1

    @brewcitymike1

    Жыл бұрын

    Same here. Never heard a word about this (or at least not enough coverage to make a mark in my mind).

  • @tylerbooks7217

    @tylerbooks7217

    7 ай бұрын

    its just a couple streets of the city

  • @sams9466
    @sams94662 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for allowing this community to share their voice. Hopefully, something will come from it. These families lost everything

  • @joelspringman7748

    @joelspringman7748

    2 жыл бұрын

    Infuriatingly, we'd rather help our enemies than hard-working loyal Americans.

  • @craigathonian
    @craigathonian2 жыл бұрын

    I am just in total shock ! Where are the representatives for this town, county, or state ? All the Americans taxes are supposed to be there for an emergency like this. No, life isn't supposed to go on like this in the USA. There is something really corrupt going on here. Thanks for making this. This shows the darker side of USA where good working people who don't believe in being the loudest squeaky wheel get screwed by the system. How much money did these people allow the government to take out of their checks for the insurance of something like this happening. Really makes me sick !

  • @jarvislarson6864

    @jarvislarson6864

    2 жыл бұрын

    And lets go brandon wants to give illegals 6figures for being detained separated when they came illegally! F Democrat's....Americans first period

  • @flowerchild3686

    @flowerchild3686

    2 жыл бұрын

    This is all because of Gov. Walker.

  • @virginiaeckley3047

    @virginiaeckley3047

    2 жыл бұрын

    You can't trust FEMA or the Representatives or the Government

  • @kenosabi

    @kenosabi

    2 жыл бұрын

    Too busy sending em to Pakistan for gender studies (I shit you not). Basically our aid elsewhere is just money laundering on a massive and international level.

  • @domusdebellum3042

    @domusdebellum3042

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@jarvislarson6864 how much did trump do to help these folks? maybe they can move and get jobs at that huge brand new foxconn plant.

  • @joshuareiley9853
    @joshuareiley98532 жыл бұрын

    This is truly heartbreaking...I have never heard of this before. I hope and pray these people and families will be compensated enough to start a new life... Not in some apartment.

  • @Littlepea2890
    @Littlepea28902 жыл бұрын

    Ive always been fascinated by abandoned homes and neighborhoods and have often wondered how they got that way. This was very interesting- it makes me wonder how many other stories there are just like this one.

  • @PhillyCh3zSt3ak
    @PhillyCh3zSt3ak2 жыл бұрын

    I live in Wisconsin and I recall the horror stories of the residents in the area surrounding Elroy. It's like one of those moments of sudden rememberance too. People talking about how their sump pump holes and drains started bubling up with flooding in water. And that church is one of the more beautiful ones too.

  • @StringerMedia
    @StringerMedia3 жыл бұрын

    The homes have since been demolished

  • @paulbland5539

    @paulbland5539

    3 жыл бұрын

    Make sure they reach out to their representatives For their area

  • @brianpendergast2894

    @brianpendergast2894

    2 жыл бұрын

    4 idiots from FEMA came to my house on Long Island today asking about damage from Hurricane Irma a year ago. I told them we had no damage in this area. Get the hell out to Wisconsin!!

  • @ghost-xl3hl

    @ghost-xl3hl

    2 жыл бұрын

    Well fema do not help kentucky

  • @michaeladams3500

    @michaeladams3500

    2 жыл бұрын

    FEMA doesn't help people. just like the FAA, a running joke among pilots is " hello, i'm from the FAA and i'm here to help."

  • @thefordmaniac

    @thefordmaniac

    2 жыл бұрын

    "I'm from the government and I'm here to help"

  • @mista414
    @mista4142 жыл бұрын

    Pretty heartbreaking for those people and families.

  • @erinmcdonald7781
    @erinmcdonald77812 жыл бұрын

    Wow! Hopefully some good will come from you raising awareness about this situation. These people deserve better. FEMA needs to resolve their part, which should've been handled much quicker. Good journalism! 💜✊

  • @rebeccaspellmeyer5761

    @rebeccaspellmeyer5761

    2 жыл бұрын

    They probability didn't qualify.

  • @mumuspain2086

    @mumuspain2086

    2 жыл бұрын

    I've lived in an area that was declared an emergency zone when there was an ice storm. Trees collapsed blocking roads, the power was out for like 2 weeks, stores were closed... FEMA did nothing xD. I think they trucked in generators for certain areas but my town didn't get any power til the power company fixed their stuff

  • @Arbitraryusername

    @Arbitraryusername

    Жыл бұрын

    FEMA is not flood insurance.

  • @Subgunman
    @Subgunman2 жыл бұрын

    Having worked in construction for many years, we worked on several homes that lost concrete block basement walls to hydrostatic pressure build up from bad downspouts drains. This was the best selling point to individuals or families wanting to build a new home. 10 to 12 inch thick concrete walls simultaneously poured with the basement slab makes for a secure basement from flooding. With proper reinforcing these walls can withstand pressures from flooding. As for basement windows the forming and pouring of concrete wells is highly recommended while walls are being poured. Drainage system will be needed for the wells. As nice as it is, don't build on low lying land or in flood zones, the government will never help. All broken promises.

  • @dknowles60

    @dknowles60

    2 жыл бұрын

    i glad you tell it like it is. i like the bottom of your state ment dont build in flood plains. just learned something never knew concrete could be poured that way

  • @ExploringwithWade
    @ExploringwithWade3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for sharing this. A really great video. Feel really bad for all the people. Very sad but thanks for getting their story out. 👍

  • @StringerMedia

    @StringerMedia

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks wade 🙏 a lot of people don’t have voices in towns like this

  • @LiL.Pixxie
    @LiL.Pixxie2 жыл бұрын

    It is so tragic and breaks my heart. This is what it looks like after major hurricanes (I live in Florida). Sometimes there is so much structural damage the house is condemned and they have to leave everything behind. When houses are flooded it becomes a soup of everything imaginable. It is so heart wrenching to see exactly what we see down here after these storms happen way up north, just a different set of circumstances. I know that feeling of "what do I do now?" The stress is overwhelming. These incidents should have been covered more closely and these residents deserve help

  • @MOMMYANDBOOBOO2
    @MOMMYANDBOOBOO22 жыл бұрын

    Before Back in like ninety- six when was like an eight year old child living at the Valley Trailer Park of Clatskanie, Oregon we'd been awoken by our parents in basically the complete middle of the night to at least waist- high water packed full of all of our belongings floating by in order to basically wade over to a bit of higher grounds due to a big ole flood that ended up completely blowing away the damn as well but completely understand what those people been through for real!! 🥰🥰

  • @fanaticat1
    @fanaticat12 жыл бұрын

    I live in central NJ, which was hit hard by Super storm Sandy in 2012. A number of people lost their homes, just like here, and they're still suffering to this day...

  • @tenbroeck1958
    @tenbroeck19582 жыл бұрын

    As a father who bought an old house and fixed it up for my family, my heart breaks for these folks.

  • @pebbleman54
    @pebbleman542 жыл бұрын

    Elroy is still thriving town but Franklin St is right next to the Baraboo River and a large wetland area. Strong summer rains make the Baraboo grow over it banks often. Tho the 2008/2018 floods were the worst for sure. I haven't been back home in a while but it's rough to see how that area of the town is disappearing especially the Luthern church.

  • @MsKallie123
    @MsKallie1232 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for showing us the church! Such incredible history and such a glorious church. That altar is wonderful🙌🏼

  • @StringerMedia

    @StringerMedia

    2 жыл бұрын

    Right!

  • @eastwind6820

    @eastwind6820

    2 жыл бұрын

    That church is so very, very German! Looks like the one near Minden in NRW where my ancestors were baptized and wed! The church in Addieville, IL where my ancestors settled built a very German church like the one in lovely Elroy.

  • @tommywonder3485
    @tommywonder34853 жыл бұрын

    It appeared to be a very beautiful place to live before the devastating flood. Sad.

  • @StringerMedia

    @StringerMedia

    3 жыл бұрын

    It was man...

  • @squirrel53968

    @squirrel53968

    2 жыл бұрын

    it still is.

  • @crazyguy_1233

    @crazyguy_1233

    2 жыл бұрын

    The mainstreet is still nice but it is on a hill so that kept the older buildings safe.

  • @r.aubrey3481
    @r.aubrey34812 ай бұрын

    Listening to that gentleman discuss his experience thru this situation… Makes me incredibly grateful to have not gone thru this. Never know what could happen to your home. Sending those families all the love and good energy thru this nightmare. 🖤

  • @Willowtree82
    @Willowtree822 жыл бұрын

    This is incredibly sad, that man seen the home his children grew up in and he lived in for 40 years wiped out and he still visits

  • @kimberlycarpenter7667
    @kimberlycarpenter76672 жыл бұрын

    This happened to us in 2008 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. WE lost our home and our entire neighborhood. Now it is a urban campground because nothing can be built on the land again. Our neighborhood has been gone for years, so its surprising to see this town left standing.

  • @StringerMedia

    @StringerMedia

    2 жыл бұрын

    That's astonishing. Stuff like this happens so often it's surreal

  • @gertrudewinchel3058
    @gertrudewinchel30582 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for taking the time to show what this area is still dealing with.

  • @samplautz5586
    @samplautz5586 Жыл бұрын

    I live in baraboo which is probably an hour or so from Elroy. We had terrible flooding in 2008. I was only 7, but I remember walking down a park in the river and we walked through part of the river because it flooded so much into the land. We had mudslides too, I saw a shed almost completely buried in mud

  • @CookingWithCrocker
    @CookingWithCrocker2 жыл бұрын

    In 2016 to 2017 I lived in Kendall WI. I worked at Walker stainless in Elroy WI. I eventually moved closer to the end of 2017. Crazy to see how much it's changed I remember those streets and houses and it's just a sad situation. There was alot of flooding in Monroe County from the same storms. The town of Leon was also under water.

  • @lklpalka
    @lklpalka2 жыл бұрын

    Your heart aches for this man and family, families. So sorry

  • @TommysHouseOfMunch
    @TommysHouseOfMunch2 жыл бұрын

    I used to live here, i had no idea this happened. I loved that town

  • @wolfmancole1908
    @wolfmancole19082 жыл бұрын

    Native Texan but lived in Appleton Wisco for over 2 years. Did a 80ish mi Elroy to Sparta cycle loop, “there and back” starting in Elroy (2019) Rode the last 20mi pretty much at night due to my poor planning lol and didnt have a light. just my Iphone light LOL. I remember riding getting close to Elroy in the pitch black and the trail just like gave out and i flew on the ground. Luckily it was soft dirt. The trail had been completely washed out and i wasn’t sure why. I fell a couple more times that night and to make it more fun it started to drizzle. Shortly after i said screw the trail and hope on the adjacent road. It all makes sense now. Thanks for the upload. I enjoyed living in Wisconsin

  • @riddim5317
    @riddim53172 жыл бұрын

    I absolutely loved the blade runner blues intro sent chills down my spine hearing that again!

  • @katm5903
    @katm59032 жыл бұрын

    Man, my heart breaks for him

  • @johngrier4114
    @johngrier41142 жыл бұрын

    The tower part is called a widows peek..So sad to see the the two older gentleman not wanting to let go of memory’s

  • @Dollyspartan97
    @Dollyspartan973 жыл бұрын

    I live in this town, its an amazing town with wonderful people. Another town you could do a video on is wonewoc wi there a ton of abandon houses downtown from the flood. Or viola/readstown wi.

  • @StringerMedia

    @StringerMedia

    3 жыл бұрын

    I’ve been to wonewoc but I didn’t see too many houses. Same with those other ones. Not sure what you mean. And yeah it’s quite sad seeing these floods do this to people. Nearly tested up while editing this video

  • @Dollyspartan97

    @Dollyspartan97

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@StringerMedia I was born/raised here so I know tons of abandon places either due to flood, fires or just they simply passed away. Would love to see more abandon home videos in the area.

  • @StringerMedia

    @StringerMedia

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@Dollyspartan97 comment some of the addresses or where to find them and I will take my bike out there this winter break. I found a school in west Lima but that’s it so far

  • @StringerMedia

    @StringerMedia

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@Dollyspartan97 you wanna get back to me? Leaving soon

  • @RoadsofFaith

    @RoadsofFaith

    2 жыл бұрын

    And Rock Springs....not much left of that town anymore....the houses and most businesses are gone and replaced with grass. It is also along the Baraboo River.

  • @thewisconsinfiles
    @thewisconsinfiles2 жыл бұрын

    You were so kind and respectful. How devastating, mother nature has no mercy.

  • @DavidStruveDesigns
    @DavidStruveDesigns2 жыл бұрын

    It constantly amazes me how councils and States allow properties to be built next to or near a river and are then completely caught off-guard and surprised when the river floods and damages/destroys those properties. Does nobody bother to do any research before authorizing an area to be built on in regards building on potential flood planes? Sure it might be a super rare flood, but if the risk is above 0% you gotta address that. Flood defenses, build houses on stilts so the flood goes under rather than through properties. It's not like it's rocket science really. And properly compensate those who bought/built a house never knowing it was at risk of this for pete's sake!! We have this EXACT same problem in the North of the UK and it's becoming more common, sadly.

  • @skie6282

    @skie6282

    2 жыл бұрын

    Hey we have regulations! You just can built within like 100 feet of the water :) all good! Lol

  • @renardtempleton

    @renardtempleton

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yeah I feel the same way with the west coast burning every year

  • @filthyapostate4217

    @filthyapostate4217

    2 жыл бұрын

    Houses in Grafton, Il are built right next to the Mighty Mississippi. On stilts. It's freaking cool!

  • @RLS-bu4bj

    @RLS-bu4bj

    2 жыл бұрын

    They are supposed to built in a way to minimize damage. But the National Flood Insurance Progam was started in the late 60s and anything built before 1975 didn't have to follow code

  • @tiredoldmechanic1791

    @tiredoldmechanic1791

    2 жыл бұрын

    I see this is from a year ago in 2020. This must have been the flood in 2018. I'm shocked to find out that FEMA was poorly run at that time. If you live in a flood plain, you need flood insurance. Too many people don't buy it. They changed the way they handle flood insurance. When flood insurance pays out you have to move. Many years ago, the Wisconsin village of Soldiers Grove moved the entire town to avoid the flooding that happened so often.

  • @Adriana-hp1eh
    @Adriana-hp1eh2 жыл бұрын

    Very interesting coming across this. Not long ago I was looking at some properties in Elroy via the internet and got to wondering about the obvious flood damage signs in the photos. Guess I know why now.

  • @tera1755
    @tera17552 жыл бұрын

    These poor people. I’m so sorry to all that went through this. You try to build a life and circumstances rip your efforts apart. While we see buildings, the previous residents see so many memories lost.

  • @megd6343
    @megd63432 жыл бұрын

    This is so sad . Never heard about this before. America needs to do better. Praying for all these people

  • @TheBlankJoker
    @TheBlankJoker2 жыл бұрын

    I used to live really close to the Yellow River in Wisconsin. My dad always talked about how if a flooding ever happened our house would be fine since we were on a hill. Where most houses roofs started was the bottom of ours.

  • @joelspringman7748

    @joelspringman7748

    2 жыл бұрын

    I hope he had a boat, as well, in order not to be stuck high and dry.

  • @glennavellino1172
    @glennavellino11722 жыл бұрын

    What a tragedy, how did this place flood like that. I'm glad they were people that you could talk to to find out more of what happened.

  • @KristyMatuszak-kw1fz
    @KristyMatuszak-kw1fz9 ай бұрын

    God be with everyone affected. Thank you so much for sharing this

  • @strangelitgirl
    @strangelitgirl2 жыл бұрын

    There’s no excuse for FEMA not taking care of these people. We are the RICHEST country in the world AND in human history…

  • @terrybizzle9027
    @terrybizzle90272 жыл бұрын

    Why building in flood zones is allowed to begin with is always amazing to me. You might like the view until the river floods your house.

  • @Dean-oh4pi

    @Dean-oh4pi

    2 жыл бұрын

    I mean at least be prepared

  • @slowbra94

    @slowbra94

    2 жыл бұрын

    I'm from south central Louisiana and down here if you want to stay where your from or around your family you have to live in a flood zone. My brother built a 10 foot hill to build his house on or else they could not insure it. We made it through Katrina. The 2016 flood. And about 2 hurricanes a year. It seems weird if you aren't from here but you almost get used to it. I've been pulling people out of their houses and swimming in flood waters as long as I can remember. The 2016 flood water was 10 feet high outside my house and they not only refused to evacuate us but the national guard gave us 3 hours warning before they left the area and would not come back to help

  • @jamiemikkelson3583
    @jamiemikkelson3583 Жыл бұрын

    This is so sad. We need to be helping our own citizens instead of all the other countries.

  • @jillsmcfarland2001

    @jillsmcfarland2001

    10 ай бұрын

    Thats false belief the money given buy uneducated and or trusting is used for more Atrocities against humanity

  • @danielleschiazza6172
    @danielleschiazza61725 ай бұрын

    This is sad. It's a beautiful little town. Even now that it is abandoned, it looks like it was a great place to live. It's sunny and gorgeous there! I love little towns like that.

  • @sharylgrangaard8484
    @sharylgrangaard84842 жыл бұрын

    Well I was born in Reedsburg, spent every summer with my grandparents in Wonewoc,my aunt and uncle lived in Elroy,it was run down even in the 60s

  • @mikesahle1193
    @mikesahle11933 жыл бұрын

    Thank you 🙏 i hope 🤞 they will rise again so beautiful 😍 place full of green 👌❤️

  • @marshaflorom8401
    @marshaflorom84012 жыл бұрын

    God bless this man ! I am sorry for those problems! I sounded like Waverly in Tennessee!

  • @graveadventures6938
    @graveadventures69382 ай бұрын

    Great job with editing, interviews and backstory. Excellent story teller!

  • @gutsngorrrr
    @gutsngorrrr2 жыл бұрын

    This is so sad, I can't imagine being in that situation, losing everything and still getting no compensation.

  • @dwarden3
    @dwarden32 жыл бұрын

    My experience with fema is that they're great until the emergency is over then you are ON YOUR OWN. Things I have learned are 1. You can only depend on yourself at the end of the day. 2. Get the proper insurance coverage and a damn good agent. 3.Never buy any dwelling in any type of flood plane(renting is ok). Most importantly is that it is just stuff, you can get more stuff. People and pets should be the most important things you grab on the way out.

  • @1exkyman
    @1exkyman2 жыл бұрын

    So very sad that our government seems to care nothing about these people whether local, state or federal. Why?

  • @dknowles60

    @dknowles60

    2 жыл бұрын

    what do you want the fed gov to do, the only thing i can see is pay then for their loss and do what grand forks nd DID TURN THE LAND IN TO A PARK

  • @nancytraver9709
    @nancytraver97092 жыл бұрын

    I remember this all to well. I lived in Elroy in 2008 when the flood happened. Water was over waist high. I volunteered to help sandbag.

  • @harleycynofficial
    @harleycynofficial2 жыл бұрын

    Saddest urban exploration I've seen. Nothing quite like the sorrow that comes from an area left to rot that could have been saved. I feel for the residents who had to abandon their homes. So sad.

  • @ldragon8480
    @ldragon84802 жыл бұрын

    It's kinda sad that Elroy went from being a hub of commerce when the trains were still running to slowly deteriorating over the years. I lived in Elroy for a good chunk of my childhood and have a lot of fond memories of the town. I hope these people get compensated.

  • @joelspringman7748

    @joelspringman7748

    2 жыл бұрын

    Prayer doesn't hurt.

  • @paularndt6111
    @paularndt61112 жыл бұрын

    Yep I live in PA and those same two stors hit my area too. Another of people including myself ended up with 4 to 8 ft water in basement. Concrete Bridges over a the headwaters of a bigger river got pushed of foundations and are still not passable to this day.

  • @rileykittendorf
    @rileykittendorf2 жыл бұрын

    I didn’t even know about this. It’s a real eye opener when we can see footage like this. It’s a very lonely feeling there now and I can’t imagine having to wait on fema like this. That man had over 40 years in his home and is still waiting. Sad. Great footage and thank you for posting !

  • @Ohwhale79
    @Ohwhale798 ай бұрын

    I've been here!!! Many times! I actually had no idea there were so many abandoned homes!. But I lived very close to here in Wisconsin during the first flood and it was CRAZY! Just found your channel, interesting stuff!

  • @ItsaRomethingeveryday
    @ItsaRomethingeveryday2 жыл бұрын

    Really sad, it truly would be mentally hard to walk away from a family home and the memories, praying for all those affected by this

  • @annahgibbus8
    @annahgibbus83 жыл бұрын

    Oh my gosh I couldn't wait for this video because I had a gut feeling it would be very valuable to me, and it was! #1 My deepest Blessings to that man and everybody who lost their homes and town🙏❤️🙏 #2 I'm buying a home an hour away from this town and flood probability is low, but I didn't believe that because there's lakes and water all around it! The realtor said I wouldn't need flood insurance, but I'm going to insure it to the max now! I forgot which flood it was 3-5 years ago in Texas and a woman lost her $700,000.00 house and had flood insurance! I'll be sure that doesn't happen to me and be sure to understand all clauses like the woman with the expensive house missed and she got nothing for her totally lost house! Thanks so much for this video! Perfect timing 🙏❤️🙏 Gosh what a waste of a darling little town. There's no such thing as to much insurance. Yikes!

  • @annahgibbus8

    @annahgibbus8

    3 жыл бұрын

    Lol reminds me of the Fried Green Tomatoes movie after Kathy Bates smashes the snotty girls cars in a parking lot: I'm Older and Have More Insurance 😁 Go ahead and call me Karen LMBO 🤣

  • @StringerMedia

    @StringerMedia

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad I could help. Interesting story 😀

  • @annahgibbus8

    @annahgibbus8

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@StringerMedia yup thanks so much and I just got off the phone with Allstate ❤️😁👍 It's so sad because many people buy cars or homes and don't include whatever disaster comes up and lose everything! Like what's going on now and people losing their businesses or homes or apartments because they've been off work for months. People just don't consider a totally unexpected money pit problem. Remember that Dear Love, Granny❤️😁👍

  • @annahgibbus8

    @annahgibbus8

    3 жыл бұрын

    Lol like Scarlett O'Hare in Gone with the Wind: As God as my witness I'll never be poor again 💃! Not rich now, but I'm definitely not going to lose what I got. Lol

  • @annahgibbus8

    @annahgibbus8

    3 жыл бұрын

    & like the other commentor somewhere here saying FEMA is evil, yup and they won't do anything. They say my new home/ old home but new to me isn't in a flood zone and baloney 🤨🙄🤥 Nope don't trust them at all.

  • @Linus007
    @Linus0072 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for posting. I rode the bicycle trail between Elroy and Sparta Wisconsin. Elroy was a nice town.

  • @afterthestorm221
    @afterthestorm22110 ай бұрын

    The irony of the nice boat in the garage.

  • @ladyalli64
    @ladyalli643 жыл бұрын

    My heart breaks for that guy....

  • @aintyobiznass8153
    @aintyobiznass81532 жыл бұрын

    Would have like to have known more history about the town and why FEMA hasn't paid out for these people? Why hasn't the city or county or state gone after the government for the funds?

  • @michaelhancock9636

    @michaelhancock9636

    2 жыл бұрын

    Well because when has the government ever done what they said they are going to do? People need to stop relying on government to save them because it's never going to work that way.

  • @MikeTyson913

    @MikeTyson913

    2 жыл бұрын

    🤣

  • @bradbroemmer9085

    @bradbroemmer9085

    2 жыл бұрын

    FEMA, like this Green Energy crap, is a scam to steal the taxes we pay into.

  • @cameronbooker445

    @cameronbooker445

    2 жыл бұрын

    Aighnt yo business...

  • @ElveeKaye
    @ElveeKaye Жыл бұрын

    "Forty years of memories." That is so incredibly sad, and it happens all the time whenever homes are lost to fire, flood, earthquakes, or other causes. I hope the were able to save the items in that cute little church.

  • @rick15666
    @rick156662 жыл бұрын

    Very well done video man, appreciate it.

  • @bubzilla6137
    @bubzilla61372 жыл бұрын

    I've lived in south Central Wisconsin most of my life. I wasn't aware of the 2018 flooding in Elroy, but I remember 2008 quite well. I lived about 45 minutes south in Madison at the time and when the Baraboo river broke, it was breaking news. There was no shortage of aerial video and photo coverage. I remember thinking how it looked apocalyptic at the time. Kinda reminded me of the movie Water World. I had never seen flooding so violent and water so deep. The only flooding I had seen that even came close was in and around Valonia, Indiana, where my mom lived in the early 2000s. The corner of my mom's house was just a few feet from the edge of the river so they at least were used to it and prepared for it. Elroy not so much... I felt terrible for the people caught in that flooding, which wasn't limited to Elroy. I know that's the focus of this video but many surrounding areas were affected. It's insane (but in a really good way) that no one died as a result of all that. Thank you for covering this! I've never seen the aftermath. Crazy that all those houses are just abandoned all these years later. But I understand why. No one wants to live through that again, let alone spend tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars either fixing or replacing the structures. I hope they're all doing well mentally too. That was quite traumatic! 🤯🤯🤯 Edit: I just wanted to add that I appreciate how respectful you are of all these people. You didn't go into everyone's house and play with things or take things. Some you didn't enter for obvious safety reasons but some because you thought they may still be returning. And I highly respect you for that. 🙂🙂🙂

  • @MJorgy5
    @MJorgy52 жыл бұрын

    Amazing that no one has pumped the water from the basements.

  • @justdawnsoullessginger3536

    @justdawnsoullessginger3536

    2 жыл бұрын

    With what money??

  • @RonLaws
    @RonLaws2 жыл бұрын

    really sad to see, it's so much more personal too hearing from some of the locals who were affected by this still around picking up the pieces so long after the disaster. hope they catch a break sooner rather than later.

  • @bmwpete65s55
    @bmwpete65s552 жыл бұрын

    Peter Egan, the Road and Track and Cycle World writer was raised in Elroy. Sad to hear the town is in such sad shape.

  • @ricktt03
    @ricktt033 жыл бұрын

    Getting better every video. Great editing, narrative and content. 👍👍

  • @StringerMedia

    @StringerMedia

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks rick means a lot 👍👍

  • @allisoncompeaux3981
    @allisoncompeaux39812 жыл бұрын

    We have lived in our house for 30 years in South Louisiana and have never missed a flood insurance payment. It has always been pretty reasonable, but we now worry that it will skyrocket after Hurricane Ida, even though our levees held back the water. Couldn't sleep at night without flood insurance - everyone should have it. You never know.

  • @russmode

    @russmode

    2 жыл бұрын

    Its not even offered if you arent on a flood plain or area prone to flooding, we live 2 blocks from lake Superior in UP of Michigan, our state farm agent said not available here.

  • @allisoncompeaux3981

    @allisoncompeaux3981

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@russmode Your agent said that?? It is my understanding that flood insurance is available to everyone in the US, no matter where you live. That is because a house can flood no matter where you live. A long rain event alone can flood an area that is not in a flood zone. We buy flood insurance through our insurance company, but the actual coverage is from the Federal Government. It is called The National Flood Insurance Program. We make a check to the government, and receive a packet from FEMA once the check clears. Maybe Google to learn more about buying it for your area. If you aren't in a flood zone, it should be very reasonable. We pay about $500 a year here in South Louisiana, but expect it to go up after recent hurricanes even though we didn't flood. Our levees held back the water, but are still being told to expect a steady increase in premiums. I do know that it is a constant fight in Congress to keep the rates affordable.

  • @russmode

    @russmode

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@allisoncompeaux3981 I'll call them back on details..thank you for reply!

  • @allisoncompeaux3981

    @allisoncompeaux3981

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@russmode Sure. In my opinion, having flood insurance is extremely important. I have seen many times where communities have been caught off guard by a flood event and had been told that flood insurance wasn't necessary in the area. You may be able to buy it directly from the government instead of going through your agent. Our insurance companies here act as a middle man and set up the account with the government for us.

  • @hellawaits5528
    @hellawaits5528 Жыл бұрын

    I remember this day! I have friend’s in Elroy!

  • @AddieDirectsTV
    @AddieDirectsTV2 жыл бұрын

    A lot of people are complaining it wasn’t in the news. The first flood in 2008 was on June 7th. I was on-duty in the control room at WKOW 27 that day. I spent more than 6 hours on-the-air covering the floods. I don’t remember if we made it all the way up to Elroy or not that day. It’s a blur. I think we were stopped at Baraboo from going farther north. But also, Elroy was overshadowed by the fact the Lake Delton dam failed in the same storm. That said, I did a quick Google search of “Elroy Wisconsin flood” and the first link was to a news article form 2008, plus, there was a bunch of coverage from my former station of the 2018 flood. Especially since Tommy Thompson was living in Elroy at the time and KO interviewed him.

  • @variousengineering1965
    @variousengineering19652 жыл бұрын

    Never thought of Wisconsin having a flooding issue before, until now. Crazy.

  • @quadstatecameras
    @quadstatecameras2 жыл бұрын

    I think these people will continue to wait. I have heard that there are still area in Louisiana basically just abandoned after Hurricane Katrina. My dad used to have a farm in Elroy. I believe in the 70's, he applied to have a dike put on his property. The army corps of engineers came out and said it would help benefit the area to prevent flooding. It allowed him to have a man made pond on the property and thus doubled the value. Not sure how they came to that conclusion about the benefit cause if the pond got to full the overflow would go down a pipe into a wooded valley that was uninhabited. #quadstatecameras

  • @MiguelAngel-kz5ku

    @MiguelAngel-kz5ku

    2 жыл бұрын

    I work in federal disaster aide it's all up to the president and the state to declare a federal disaster and authorize the right kind of aide the part that sucks is some counties just don't get opened up for the aide they need or are just outside the area authorized

  • @dear.ambelina
    @dear.ambelina Жыл бұрын

    THAT FIRST MAN DESERVES A GOFUNDME 😢😢😢😢

  • @elenafetter9690
    @elenafetter96902 жыл бұрын

    Wow...so sorry for these folks struggling. So scary and dangerous. Heartbreaking.

  • @mikebar42
    @mikebar422 жыл бұрын

    This is what happens when public officials take bribes... Proper surveys don't get done and things get built on flood plains...

  • @reacew7624
    @reacew76242 жыл бұрын

    God damn that guy is humble

  • @Chris.groucott
    @Chris.groucott2 ай бұрын

    Stringer media we need 8 hour long videos of your amazing channel 👍 👍 👍 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 🇬🇧

  • @SuzanneDeniseB
    @SuzanneDeniseB2 жыл бұрын

    It so sad to see people lose everything. 😢💔