Flood Emergency: Reedsburg Street Condemned
Flood Emergency: Reedsburg Street Condemned Save Email Print

A | A | A

Posted Wednesday, June 25 --- 10:00pm

One business and more than 18 homes on Granite Avenue in Reedsburg are uninhabitable according to city inspectors.

Now homeowners must wait for aid in order to start their lives over again.

Jeff Owen is one of the many home owners on Granite Avenue that has been forced out of his home after the city deemed it unlivable.

"An inspector would go into the house and determine the value has been decreased by more than 50 percent due to the damage," Owen said.

About 18 homes on this street fall into this category.

The orange condemned stickers on the outside prove it.

On the inside however, the damage is all too real.

Homeowners are forced to dump most of their damaged belongings and clean out what's left of their home.

Now their trying to start over with help from the city and what little they have left.

"The city is intending on applying for what's called a hazard mitigation grant," said Tim Becker, Director of the Reedsburg emergency management team. "It would help to supply funding for approximately 75 percent of the assessed value of their homes."

The emergency management team has heard many frustrations from the homeowners of these condemned houses.

"It's not what the city wants to do is to condemn the home," Becker said, "but the last thing we want to do is put somebody back in a home that structures been compromised by water."

Until now Owen and his family are staying with friends and are thankful for the items they were able to take with them.

While federal aid only covers 75 percent of each condemned home, the city's emergency management team is applying for state and city aid to make up the 25 percent difference.

It will be several weeks, if not months however, before any money is dispersed.

More Stories
CrimeTracker 15: Vehicles Damaged by Vandals

UPDATE: Firefighters Battle Meatpacking Fire

Dodge Co. Sheriff Cautions Against Nonsense Calls to 911

Madison Schools Question State Aid Cuts

Man Arrested After Grabbing Teen at Mall

Stranger Danger: Man Grabs 10-Year-Old

Fireworks Enforcement Teams Issue Four Citations

Madison Police Investigate Shooting

Post Your Comments
First Name:
Location:
Enter Comments: characters left
Email (optional):
By posting this comment I have read and agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy:
You must agree to the Terms of Service to continue.
Read Comments
Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jun 27, 2008 at 07:35 PM
JJ - how do YOU suggest that people do something about it? Tell us, Mr Gore, how do we turn this about before any more problems occur?

Posted by: JJ Location: Madison on Jun 26, 2008 at 07:44 PM
Yes jamie, this flooding is getting out of hand. Thats the trouble now, everybody complains about the weather but nobody does anything about it. What would you suggest?

Posted by: jamie Location: madison on Jun 26, 2008 at 03:31 PM
This flooding is getting out of hand!

Weather Authority
Watch your local weather 24/7.
News Links
Looking for something you saw on NBC 15? Find it here.
Double Dollar Deals
Experience our area's best restaurants at a Half-Off price.
Golf Double Dollar Deals
Experience our area's best golf courses at a Half-Off price.
Family Double Dollar Deals
Experience our area's best businesses at a Half-Off price.
What's On?
Click here to see our program guide.
Perfect Home
Find out how to make your perfect home.
The Health Professional
Find answers to your health questions.
Bike MS
Join us as we ride the open road to fight MS
AP Video