"A lot of neighbors helping neighbors:" Kenosha County braces for more rain

KENOSHA COUNTY -- Storms in the forecast could not have come at a worse time for residents still cleaning and drying out from last week's flooding. Those who live in Kenosha County are bracing for the severe weather.

Ominous clouds and light rain Friday night, July 21st have cast a shadow on cleanup efforts for homeowners along Highway 50 in the Town of Wheatland.

"We were pressure washing things off and instead of doing that, we started putting things up super high," said Mark Rogers.

Mark Rogers is one of thousands of people in Kenosha County, still trying to dry out from last week's flooding. Storms caused the nearby Fox River to overflow and water to seep into Rogers' garage.

"I lost a camper, a truck and a lot of expensive tools in the garage," said Rogers.

Thankfully, Rogers' home was spared; others weren't so lucky. Rogers used his boat to transport neighbors to dry ground as their basements and first levels quickly filled up.

"I got a 16-foot John boat, flat bottom John boat, so we can get into shallow water. I used that for about four to five days to get around here," Rogers said.

With another flash flood watch overnight, Rogers is hoping for the best and preparing for the worst.

Mark Rogers

"We got some tough stuff going on here but there's a lot of people who have it a lot worse than us, and we definitely feel for them as well," Rogers said.

For Walter Ellis, he too is still pumping water out of his basement.

"It was nasty but it's gotten a lot...it's gotten a lot better but it was deep," Ellis said.

Ellis showed off his home, just a stone's throw away from the Fox River. Nearly three feet of water flooded his basement. The damage still sits out front in his yard in the trash. The cost to repair it all is daunting.

"I'm guessing the total with everything, the labor to finish off the house again, $20,000 to $30,000," Ellis said.

Down the road is the Village of Silver Lake's town hall. It has turned into a flood victim relief store. Everything is free if you've been impacted by the water.

"Well, I think people are getting by. I think we've got a lot of neighbors helping neighbors which is great," said Silver Lake Village Administrator, Patrick Casey.

With the prospect of water still to come, many are getting worried. As a flooded park sits with water rapidly moving, any more rain could be devastating.

"We have well test kits for those that have been inundated by the flood water so that the population can test their wells to make sure their drinking water is safe," Casey said.

Flood, water, cleaning supplies, it's all there for those who need it. Back at home, Ellis is continuing to pump his basement out -- trying to keep a positive attitude.

"We have to. We have to. You can't go downhill. You know, you got to go forward. You can't go downhill," said Ellis.

Walter Ellis

Ellis is taking everything day by day, showing that no matter how wet it gets, it can't dampen his spirit.

Residents who live in Silver Lake are asked to keep track of all your damage: big stuff, small stuff, it's all important. In order for federal dollars to come in and help people get back on their feet, they need to reach a certain disaster threshold. Once you've gotten it collected, you're asked to pass it along to your county emergency management office.