MILWAUKEE — Wisconsin has confirmed a new 24-hour rainfall record after more than a foot of rain fell in Milwaukee during historic summer flooding, but for some families like Victoria Kiepert’s, the damage never ended.

The August 9th and 10th storms brought 14-and-a-half inches of rain to northwest Milwaukee in just 24 hours, now officially the most rain ever recorded in a single day in Wisconsin. Behind that historic number are families still trying to rebuild as Christmas approaches.

“We lost all of our stuff in the basement,” Kiepert said.

Floodwaters damaged Kiepert’s northside home, destroying nearly everything her family owned. She applied for help, but says months later, recovery is still falling on her shoulders.

“Beds, appliances, all that stuff, kids’ clothes, TVs, everything,” Kiepert said.

The Milwaukee mother, who cares for five children, says her family was left homeless for two weeks after the flooding.

Victoria Kiepert

“We had to move, and I couldn’t find a house right away, so we were homeless for two weeks, and then we moved and still don’t have the things we need,” Kiepert said.

Watch: Milwaukee mom seeks help after historic flooding as Christmas approaches

Milwaukee mom seeks help after historic flooding as Christmas approaches

Climate experts say the storms were unprecedented, with rain falling one to three inches an hour for several hours, overwhelming basements, streets, and sewer systems. Radar estimates show 10 to 12 inches fell across northern Milwaukee and northeast Waukesha counties, confirming the devastation was widespread.

Kiepert says she and her kids have to sleep on air mattresses, and the holidays only add more pressure to an already overwhelming situation.

“People think that after people get FEMA money, it’s just done and over with, and that should be enough, but it’s really not because it takes months, even years, sometimes when you’re starting all over,” Kiepert said.

She’s unsure how she will provide gifts for her kids this Christmas, her family still needs basic necessities months after the flooding.

Victoria Kiepert

“We still need beds, dressers, kids’ clothing, a lot of stuff,” Kiepert said.

As Wisconsin marks a new chapter in climate history, families like Kiepert’s say recovery can’t stop at statistics, especially as Christmas approaches.

“This year’s really hard, because mostly because of the flood, cause all the stuff we lost, I have to buy them new stuff, because that money isn’t available for Christmas,” Kiepert said.

The flooding has made this Christmas particularly challenging for Kiepert’s family, including her youngest daughter experiencing her first Christmas.

“This is my daughter’s first Christmas, it would help for all my kids but mainly for her, to make like a Christmas miracle for them,” Kiepert said.

Despite the hardships, Kiepert maintains perspective on what matters most during the holidays.

“Sometimes it’s not about the gifts, it’s about being stable and having family around,” Kiepert said.

As Victoria’s family continues to rebuild, community support can make a real difference. A GoFundMe is available for those who wish to donate money or provide much-needed household items. If you can donate any of the furniture items she seeks, her email is Victoria.kiepert@icloud.com, or you can reach out to me by email at gideon.verdin@tmj4.com, and I will connect you with Victoria.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

It’s about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device.

Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.

Report a typo or error // Submit a news tip

Minneapolis faces challenges in funding a project that community safety leaders deem necessary for reform.

An amendment in the city’s new budget has redirected $5.5 million from a proposed Public Safety Training and Wellness Center to pedestrian and bicyclist safety. This change has brought the project back to the drawing board and could jeopardize millions in state bonding dollars intended to help fund it.

“You hit this snag, hit this bump in a road, and it does get frustrating,” said Minneapolis Community Safety Commissioner Todd Barnette.

Despite the setback, Barnette remains hopeful.

“I think our first responders deserve that,” Barnette said, emphasizing the need for a new center to improve training and address mental health for first responders.

The project is estimated to cost $38 million, with half expected from the city and the other half from state bonding dollars.

Barnette explained that the center is necessary to meet reform requirements under a settlement agreement with the state — he also said it’s not just for police officers, but everyone under the Office of Community Safety umbrella, including firefighters and those in the 911 call center.

“Is there no other place to take care of this training and this wellness right now?” 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS reporter Ben Henry asked. 

“If you look at the facilities assessments that were done there, none of our facilities are adequate,” Barnette replied.

Council member Robin Wonsley has expressed concerns about the planning process, stating, “This body should not approve this project.” The council later diverted $5.5 million from the training center to pedestrian and bicyclist safety in the 2026 budget.

“These dollars are better invested into things we do know will have a measurable benefit for the public, like making investments into our traffic calming programs,” Wonsley said.

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS attempted to contact Wonsley for further comments on the traffic projects and concerns about potential cost increases due to delays, but did not hear back.

Commissioner Barnette is worried about the risk to state dollars. “We’re trying to offset the things that we’re doing, and so you’re going to see increase in probably property tax,” he said.

The settlement agreement does not specifically mandate a new training facility or detail officer training methods, but requires the city to support the department’s efforts if current facilities are inadequate.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — During a recent excavation for the Turn two repave project, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway uncovered its original crushed stone and tar racing surface, a significant discovery that had not been seen since 1909. According to Zach Horrall, manager of Digital Marketing at IMS, this moment reveals a piece of racing history to fans in a way that has never been done before.

The Turn two repave project took place last September, primarily to address bumps caused by shifting bricks below the surface—issues exacerbated by Indiana’s fluctuating weather. While excavating to repair these bricks, the team decided to uncover any historical layers beneath, ultimately revealing the original racing surface of crushed stone and tar.

Zach Horrall explained the significance of this discovery, stating, “It’s amazing. It’s the original, original track surface of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.” This surface, laid down during the summer of 1909, had been hidden for over a century and showcased the early construction efforts of the track.

The excavation revealed a beautiful limestone composite mixed with tar, which was noted to still be fresh and had a strong smell, signifying its preservation. Horrall remarked, “It was an overwhelming and powerful moment at Indianapolis Motor Speedway!” such that no one present, including long-time IMS historian Donald Davidson, had ever seen it before.

Photos taken during the excavation illustrated the historic bricklaying process, providing visual documentation of the construction history of the track. The now-excavated surface is currently on display at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, allowing visitors to witness a tangible piece of racing history.

The original racing surface is now showcased at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, providing an educational opportunity for fans and guests alike. Further installments documenting this series of discoveries are available on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s website.