FEMA teams expected in Milwaukee after historic flooding

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With thousands of residents in southeast Wisconsin facing flood damage to their homes, Milwaukee County officials said federal teams are expected to arrive this week.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley announced that the Office of Emergency Management and Wisconsin Emergency Management are preparing for the arrival of the Federal Emergency Management Agency as early as Thursday. FEMA’s damage assessment is the next step in accessing federal disaster assistance, which hinges on a recommendation from President Donald Trump.

On Aug. 9, heavy rains and flash floods pooled intersections and filled basements in what was called by Crowley a “1,000-year event” across the Milwaukee region. Rain averaged around nine inches across most of the city, with the northwest side hit with 14.5 inches, data from the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District showed.

As of Monday, OEM and more than 300 volunteers completed 3,434 property assessments throughout the county, officials said. Around 53% of assessed properties fell under “destroyed” or having “major damage” categories. Local officials said they’re beyond the threshold to qualify for federal aid.

While municipalities are still evaluating the impact on public infrastructure, preliminary estimates were more than $34 million in damages, officials added.

“I joined our damage assessment teams in the community last week and spoke directly with residents affected by flooding,” Crowley said in a statement. “I’ve heard your stories, your challenges and your calls for help. But I also heard your resilience and witnessed neighbors helping one another.” The county executive thanked emergency management, public health and first responder teams who have been assessing damage and helping residents for the past 10 days.

FEMA will conduct a preliminary damage assessment. After the assessment, Michael Chesney, the acting regional administrator of FEMA Region 5, will recommend the president to declare a disaster. That declaration would authorize federal disaster assistance, which would arrive in the form of individual, public or hazard mitigation assistance.

Once FEMA teams are deployed to Milwaukee, they will verify damage in key areas with properties classified as “destroyed” or “major damage,” county officials said. OEM or other emergency staff will accompany FEMA during assessments.

As of Tuesday, 211 has received more than 12,000 damage reports in Milwaukee County, county officials said. Local officials asked residents to call 211 to report property damage so residents can be matched with recovery resources and ensure eligibility for future financial assistance.

Federal legislators, Milwaukee Common Council push for FEMA aid

On Friday, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, Crowley and leadership from city departments toured a home in northwest Milwaukee where the foundation crumbled under high water levels.

Baldwin (D-WI) and U.S. Reps Gwen Moore (D-WI) and Bryan Steil (R-WI) requested the Trump administration and FEMA support the state’s request to start preliminary damage assessments across southeastern Wisconsin after extreme storms. U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI) also wrote a separate letter seeking federal assistance for the state.

“Last weekend, unprecedented storms struck Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington, and Ozaukee Counties in a record rainfall that left thousands of homes without power and caused significant damage. We have been proud of the rapid response from Wisconsin’s law enforcement, emergency response teams, utility workers, and volunteers, who have been working diligently to respond to the needs of Wisconsin residents,” Baldwin, Moore and Steil wrote to Kristi Noem, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. “Local and state officials are continuing to respond to the extensive damage caused by the storms as best they can, but they need FEMA’s assistance now. We urge you to act without delay.”

On Aug. 11, Gov. Tony Evers declared a state of emergency for flash flooding and storm damage across Wisconsin.

All 15 members of the Milwaukee Common Council last week sent a letter urging President Donald Trump to invoke an emergency declaration for disaster aid.

“This storm has touched residents in every aldermanic district, as many Milwaukeeans were impacted or know someone who has been. Imagine a northwest Milwaukee family losing every possession in hours, their basement a toxic swamp, or a south side resident watching contaminated water ruin irreplaceable heirlooms and essential appliances,” council members wrote. “These are our neighbors: parents scrambling for temporary shelter, elders isolated without power, small business owners staring at ruined inventories. Compounding the agony, insurance denials are rampant — standard policies exclude floods, and even sewer backup riders fail, leaving most without recourse.

“While local and state agencies have mobilized initial help, they fall short,” council members added. “A federal declaration is essential for individual aid, infrastructure fixes, and long-term resilience against the climate’s growing threat to our watershed region.”