Exploring Elroy Wisconsin, One of America's abandoned no go zones forgotten by FEMA

While riding my dirt bike out one day I came across a street that was unusually quiet. After talking to some residents, it became clear that the story of this road was something that had to get out. As of now FEMA still has yet to give the people of this street the compensation they need, and the houses, have yet to be demolished, all these years later. I got permission to explore this street by the residents of the town and church. If you come here, please be mindful that in every house, people once lived...

[arielatarantino]

Never knew about this and I live here in Wisconsin. Shows how much even local news truly cares.

[mesquitetejas]

Wow, this is sad..And listing to the older gentleman speak about his experience..40 yrs of memory's gone..

[jeffreyminor]

We had a (every hundred years) flood in 2006 in N.E. Ohio. No flood insurance. FEMA gave us $2, 000 for home/property. We got a mop, squeegee, broom combo and a towel from the Red Cross. We still laugh about the "help" we got. I can totally understand why people moved away from New Orleans and never went back after Hurricane Katrina.

[apocyldoomer]

Man, after living in your own home for 40 years than be living in an apartment, that is just awful, good luck to all of the victims of this floods!!

[cynthiatolman]

I love how you made contact with the people who lost these homes. The man at the church made me feel so sad and the woodwork was fantastic, I hope they save that. Sometimes the only answer is to let things go, people matter more

[bradymadden]

My father and his two brothers grew up in Elroy and we drive through there every time we go to our property. Everything is still there exactly how you see it

[AFloridaSon]

Interesting. Very well done. It's crazy how people haven't heard about this. Someone needs to go there and do a real in-depth documentary, and get the word out to more people, and maybe pressure FEMA into doing something for them. Thanks for bringing this to our attention.

[upstatekennels]

"life goes on, you just gotta keep plugging away" This strong individual amazes me. God bless him 🙏

[melissabryan]

My heart breaks for all but the man in the beginning talking about 40 years of memories...really broke me!💔

[badkitty]

You can see the love that people put into their homes. Its eerie that its all just left to nature now. The way that he spoke of his home of 40 years. Feel so bad for him losing all those memories in the home.

[demonhearts]

I lived in elroy, it was my home town... the whole town wasn't abandon just that part of the street it is in one of the worse flooding zones with the baraboo River and small marsh near by. Most farming was done on the upper hills but the residents that lived on the hills were safe, it doesn't surprise me the town starting to be abandon. It isn't the best place to live and they don't care about the people

[lizziehole]

You were very respectful -your work in sharing this situation, especially with the owner who would have appreciated having you with him to check on his house and his neighbourhood

[randygunn]

I'm from Minnesota and we and Wisconsin have a Viking Packer rivalry but when you see this it just crush's your heart. Dam, what a sick terrible tragedy.

[mcm]

Interesting side note, the former governor of the state of Wisconsin, Tommy Thompson, was born and raised in Elroy Wisconsin. He went on to serve as Secretary of health and human services, and is currently in acting interim president of the University of Wisconsin. But I guess no one can figure out how to fix this problem in
Elroy Wisconsin.
They just don't want to, probably because there's no money in it.

[Littlepea]

Ive always been fascinated by abandoned homes and neighborhoods and have often wondered how they got that way. This was very interesting- it makes me wonder how many other stories there are just like this one.

[writing_monkey]

Thank you for making this. These kinds of places deserve to be remembered.

[conveyor]

Thank you for this. These communities deserve to be remembered.

[joshuareiley]

This is truly heartbreaking...I have never heard of this before. I hope and pray these people and families will be compensated enough to start a new life... Not in some apartment.

[PBPolitics]

That home owner.. totally “Salt of the Earth” Wisconsinite… much respect

[Mary-klkj]

I couldn’t even imagine loosing my home after 40 years, especially to a flood. I feel for these people.