Milwaukee Flood Survivors Still Rebuilding 6 Months Later

Residents face ongoing challenges and uncertainty as they work to recover from historic flooding.

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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Six months after devastating floods hit Milwaukee's north side, many families continue to struggle with extensive damage and an uncertain future. For Mike Gilbert, a veteran whose home was among those impacted, the disaster came at an already difficult time following the recent passing of his wife. While federal assistance has helped with some basic repairs, Gilbert and his neighbors still face major renovation costs they cannot afford, leaving them in limbo as they work to rebuild their lives and community.

Why it matters

The lingering impact of the Milwaukee floods highlights the ongoing challenges faced by disaster survivors, especially those with limited resources. This story sheds light on the long-term recovery process and the need for sustained support from local leaders and the broader community.

The details

The August floodwaters from Lincoln Creek tore through the neighborhood near 61st and Lawn, filling basements, destroying homes, and forcing families to evacuate. Today, vacant homes, exposed foundations, and debris still line the streets as a stark reminder of the disaster's lasting impact. For Mike Gilbert, the flooding came just three weeks after the passing of his wife, compounding an already devastating time in his life. While federal assistance has helped cover some cleanup costs and basic repairs, Gilbert says it has fallen short of addressing the full scope of damage to his home, leaving him unable to afford the major renovations needed.

  • The August floodwaters hit the Milwaukee neighborhood on August 15, 2025.
  • Mike Gilbert's wife passed away on July 15, 2025, just three weeks before the floods.
  • This story was reported on and published on February 6, 2026, six months after the historic flooding.

The players

Mike Gilbert

A veteran whose home was among those damaged in the historic Milwaukee flooding. Gilbert was already grieving the recent loss of his wife when the disaster struck, compounding an already difficult time in his life.

Lincoln Creek

The waterway whose floodwaters tore through the Milwaukee neighborhood, causing extensive damage to homes and forcing families to evacuate.

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What they’re saying

“My wife had passed away July 15th. You know, three weeks later the major flood. So, you know, all in all, it was a pretty painful three weeks, six weeks.”

— Mike Gilbert, Veteran (TMJ4)

“The house is gone… waiting on a short sale. I was able to get some monies from FEMA. I was able to fix the front wall, the basement wall, and that's about it.”

— Mike Gilbert, Veteran (TMJ4)

“It was assistance, enough to fix the basement wall, clean out the house. But that's about it. There's some major renovation that will have to happen that I can't afford to do.”

— Mike Gilbert, Veteran (TMJ4)

“It'd be nice for politicians to come around and maybe knock on the door or generate a block party for people that are still here… just something light.”

— Mike Gilbert, Veteran (TMJ4)

“Thank God… be grateful that you wake up every morning. Material things are just material things.”

— Mike Gilbert, Veteran (TMJ4)

What’s next

The judge in Gilbert's case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow him to move forward with a short sale of his damaged home.

The takeaway

This story highlights the long-term challenges faced by disaster survivors, especially those with limited resources, and the need for sustained support from local leaders and the broader community to help families rebuild their lives and communities in the aftermath of devastating events.