‘Just going minute by minute': Costly flood recoveries continue in West Allis

WEST ALLIS, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Fans and dehumidifiers have been on overdrive in homes throughout southeast Wisconsin since flooding hit the region earlier this month. 

“There’s no doubt that if you’re running a fan more often, you’re running a dehumidifier more often, that’s going to impact your energy bill,” WE Energies Spokesperson Brendan Conway said.

High energy bills are just another piece of the recovery process, and a small piece of the debt people are facing. 

Terry Schimke lives in and owns a four-unit complex on 81st St. in West Allis. 

The basement was flooded along with two of the units on the first floor. 

“I’m out four water heaters I just replaced last year, four furnaces, and I just had central air put in last year,” Schimke said.  “Every direction I turn it seems like I got 100 things facing me.”

Schimke has more than 20 industrial fans and multiple dehumidifiers working around the clock to try to dry the building. 

“I have no idea what the electric bill is going to be but it’s going to be astronomical I’m sure,” Schimke said. “I’ll cross the bridge when I get there.”

The bills keep adding up for Schimke, who is 70 years old, retired and is running out of money. 

“I’m just going minute by minute, one foot in front of the other and I can’t tell you what I’ll be doing in ten minutes from now,” Schimke said. “You feel kind of hopeless, but if it wasn’t for my faith I wouldn’t be pushing forward as I am.”

WE Energies is urging homeowners to prioritize making sure their homes are safe and provides payment plans for those who cannot pay upcoming energy bills. 

“We want homeowners to focus on fixing their issues,” Conway said. “We’re always going to be there to work with you.”