Following the dramatic weather events that have recently struck Southeast Wisconsin, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and his team are stepping up to provide much-needed guidance and support to the affected community. According to a statement released by the Milwaukee County Executive's Office, severe flooding and storms last weekend have pushed the region into a full-blown recovery phase, with extensive damage assessments currently underway.
Local officials are working diligently to accurately quantify the damage and Crowley is ready to present the total damages to the State of Wisconsin, a crucial step to determine the necessity of additional aid. Early reviews suggest the possibility of Wisconsin meeting the federal threshold for aid, an indication that federal assistance may be on the horizon. Crowley shared his commitment to the community, stating, "It will take a lot of hard work, collaboration, time, and partnership to make our community whole again, help people get through this, and to address the significant damage that has been caused throughout our neighborhoods. That's what Milwaukee County is committed to doing in the days, weeks, and months ahead. We will get through this together." This quote reflects the community's resilience as reported by the Milwaukee County Executive's Office.
The storms that raged through on August 9 and 10 forced County Executive Crowley to declare a state of emergency on August 10, a move followed by Governor Tony Evers' statewide emergency declaration the next day. These declarations resulted in expedited requests for federal disaster relief, a process currently in motion. Milwaukee County has also since launched a dedicated resource website to offer up-to-date information and resources to residents in their time of need, as detailed by the Milwaukee County Executive Office.
For immediate assistance, the public is urged to report damage by calling 211 or visiting designated city websites for various concerns. Additionally, locals may offload trash and recycling materials free of charge at available drop-off centers. The county has listed relief-related resources and donation opportunities. For example, the American Red Cross of Wisconsin at 1-800-RED-CROSS and Milwaukee Marshall High School are providing shelter and resources for those facing housing emergencies. Milwaukee County Housing Services has also been identified as a point of contact for the homeless population. For those looking to contribute to relief efforts, options include volunteering services through Crisis Cleanup, or donating to the United Way's Flood Recovery Fund and Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin's Emergency Food Response Fund, as stated by the Milwaukee County Executive Office.
