Milwaukee’s Flood Emergency, Property Assessed and Aid

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (CIVIC MEDIA) – Over 1,800 homes were destroyed as flood waters rapidly rose, causing millions of dollars in damage – help continues to pour in.

Nearly 3,500 homes have been assessed for property damage after the soaking storm caused flooding in Milwaukee. About half of those houses are reported as destroyed or severely damaged.

The American Red Cross says that’s the biggest thing that they are dealing with right now.

“We have about 100 red cross workers and 80 or so volunteers that are in Milwaukee and southeast Wisconsin, helping to support relief efforts.” says Jennifer Warren, the Regional Communications Director for Red Cross of Wisconsin. She explains a number of volunteers are still delivering clean up kits throughout the neighborhoods that were hit hardest with over 10 inches of rain. “We have handed out more than 10,000 emergency relief supplies to over 2,500 households.”

They are also working at the shelter, set up at Milwaukee Marshall High School, providing hot meals and a place for people to stay and sleep. “They can come in if they just want to charge their cellphone or if they just want to have a meal.” Relief supplies and emotional support is also being offered there, too.

Clean up could take months. Milwaukee County estimates preliminary damage exceeds $34 million.

10 days after the devastation, a FEMA team has arrived in southeast Wisconsin on Thursday, Aug. 20 to inspect homes damaged by the flood.

“People that have gone through the flooding in Milwaukee are overwhelmed. They are tired and they are looking for some help.” explains Warren.

Volunteers are still needed, ranging from on the ground help to even remote work from home. Warren says it’s fulfilling and meaningful. “A moment, where something that you experience really touched you. Impact moments like that, it kind of explains, that’s why we are doing what we are doing, you know what I mean? You have to be compassionate.” 

You can sign up to volunteer right here.