Homeowners show concern in Racine Co. over severe erosion problem: "I hope they do something:"
RACINE COUNTY -- A declaration of emergency in Racine County, but it might be enough to save homes in danger of toppling into Lake Michigan. More than a dozen homes are quickly losing ground, literally -- and one homeowner is taking matters into his own hands.
Mother Nature won't wait, so one homeowner whose house could fall into Lake Michigan turns into a man-made solution.
"Each one of those blocks is probably 3,000 to 4,000 pounds a piece," said Mount Pleasant Village President, Jerry Garski.
High Lake Michigan levels are eating the shoreline in Mount Pleasant, Caledonia, and beyond. Backyards are crumbling into the waters.
"Our police department through the night does check to see if the bank has slid," said Garski.
One homeowner enlisted the help of his brother, a contractor, the favor of friends, and the OK from the DNR, to make an emergency wall buffering the waves.
"We've been here for 30 years. In this house for 30 years," said Sue Gursky, lives near shoreline.
Sue Gursky
Sue Gursky is concerned, saying her house shakes as waves pound the earth nearby.
"When storms come in it's all going down, it's eroded more and more. Just keeps going down," Gusky said.
A declaration of emergency in Racine County allows officials to close nearby roads. Officials are concerned infrastructure and electric service for a larger area could disappear.
"It is pretty close, pretty close to us," said Gursky.
While Mother Nature wont' wait, there is a fear some may not have much time.
"I hope they do something so none of us loses our homes," said Gursky.
Village President Garski drove to Burlington Friday evening, May 27th to hopefully talk with Governor Walker, who was attending ChocolateFest, about the problem.
"He's aware of it. He's on top of it because I'm quite surprised he was aware of the permits we issued last night," said Garski.
Walker says the wheels are in motion, however, unsure of exactly how the state can help.
"A state designation is needed if you are going to get federal assistance through Wisconsin Emergency Management. We've been reaching out to the federal government to see what kind of assistance we can give but it is a serious issue," said Walker.
Among the festivities on the ChocolateFest, Garski was able to get a brief moment with Walker.
"We'll probably hear something shortly," said Garski.
Garski says he wasn't expecting an answer but wanted to show by being there how close to the edge some of his residents are.