Frederica Freyberg:
It has been one year since the disastrous floods of 2008. Some people who lived in the hardest-hit areas of the state around Spring Green and Gays Mills simply packed up what was left of their things and moved away. Some who chose to stay are still cobbling their homes and lives back together. Last week, FEMA directed $4 million to the town of Spring Green. The money is to be used to renovate or buy properties destroyed by the high waters. Meanwhile, in Gays Mills they continue to wait. About 15 households have been told that property buyout offers may come from Crawford County and FEMA by the end of June. There was talk of moving all of Gays Mills up and out of the flood zone. For now, any moves are voluntary. Lorraine Fortney temporarily moved to higher ground. She continues to wait for a potential buyout of her property. She's optimistic that things can improve for her family and for her neighbors in the region.

Lorraine Fortney:
The future holds a better way, and, I mean, growing up here, I didn't know there was a better way. I knew you just cleaned it up and went on. And then I finally, after going to meetings, I thought the Lord don't intend us to live this way. There is a better way. He gave us common sense. Let's deal with it. Let's figure it out. And that's what we're doing. And so we have moved, and we're high and dry, and I'll come back and help anybody that needs it, but I'd rather teach them there is a better way to do this so we don't have to do this anymore.