Nearly 1 year after historic flood, man says more could have been done to save vehicles in parking garage at Potawatomi Casino Hotel
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) - Nearly one year after historic flooding damaged dozens of vehicles at Potawatomi Casino Hotel, one man says the loss of his late wife’s car remains a reminder of that day.
James Rosenthal was staying at the hotel when he woke up to streets filled with floodwaters.
“I got up in the morning, and it was like Canal Street was a canal. There were cars stalled all over and the first thing I thought of was, am I going to get out of here,” Rosenthal said.
Rosenthal was among about 100 people whose vehicles were declared a total loss after floodwaters filled the valet garage.
“It was in the basement, so it was totally submerged, so it was totaled out,” Rosenthal said.
The car carried a special meaning. Rosenthal’s wife had died just months earlier after living with ALS, and the vehicle was one she loved.
“It was the car she loved, and she wanted to have that’s why it was sentimental,” Rosenthal said.
With help from his insurance, Rosenthal was able to buy a new vehicle. But nearly a year later, he says he still believes more could have been done to protect the cars before the flooding worsened.
“I know the rain came fast, but other parts were flooding before this all happened, so they could have taken a look at that and how long the rain was going to last and say, ‘Hey, maybe we should get these cars to the upper level’” Rosenthal said.