Milwaukee County flood response, cleanup; officials provide update

MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and other city leaders provided an update on flood response clean-up efforts on Thursday, Aug. 14. 

What we know:

Milwaukee County officials remain in the recovery phase and continue assessing the full extent of flood-related damage throughout the community. 

Once this assessment phase is complete, Milwaukee County will report the full damage total to the State of Wisconsin and determine what level of additional support will be needed moving forward.

What they're saying:

"It will take a lot of hard work, collaboration, time, and partnership to make our community whole again, help people get through this, and 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," said Crowley. 

Gov. Tony Evers is asking the Trump administration for FEMA assistance as Milwaukee and other areas continue to recover from the weekend’s historic flooding.

"It is my strong hope that the federal government will step in to provide resources that our residents need," said Crowley. 

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Milwaukee County has launched a new website that offers important information, resources, and guidance. The website will be updated on a rolling basis and as recovery efforts continue. 

Have property damage?

What you can do:

Report all property damage from flooding, lightning, or extreme wind from the storm to 2-1-1.

2-1-1 is a data collection database, which helps Milwaukee County accurately prove the extent of damage to the community. The data collected will help to determine the federal response to requests made for additional funding and resources. 

You can call 2-1-1 to report damage over the phone. You can fill out a form online at 211wisconsin.communityos.org/damage-report to directly submit a damage report.

What to report

• Structural damages
• Utility damages
• Personal property damage (furniture, clothes, etc.)
• Note: Make sure to take photos to document damage and save receipts for any recovery efforts. This will be important if financial assistance becomes available.

After you report damage to 2-1-1

• If you have the means, seek out professional assistance to begin property rehabilitation, including damage appraisals, mucking out standing floodwater, and thorough cleaning of contaminated items and surfaces.
• Local organizations want to help! If you need help addressing property damage, fill out the 2-1-1 Damage Report form to be added to the database that will work to match local organizations to individuals in need.

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City of Milwaukee response

The backstory:

On Tuesday, Mayor Johnson and other city officials provided the following updates, tips and information to residents as the community continues to recover from flood damage.

What should I do with bulky items?

The city will conduct free, special, bulky item pickups for households with city garbage collection service. Fees will be waived for flood-related bulky item pickup.

Residents should place items at their regular garbage collection point. If material is not able to be collected on the normal collection day this week, crews will refer those addresses and the department will schedule a follow-up pickup. If items are not placed out on the regular pickup day this week, residents must make a request by contacting the city.

Due to high call volume, wait times are longer than usual, so the city encourages milwaukee.gov/clickforaction and the MKE Mobile app for reporting. Residents may also use the Call Center at 414-286-CITY.

Where can I drop off items?

Both the South (Lincoln Avenue) and North (Industrial Road) Drop-Off Centers are open and free to city residents through Sunday, Aug. 17, during regular hours of 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. These sites are accepting flood-related debris and household items to assist in cleanup.

Is parking enforcement suspended?

To support neighborhood recovery, overnight parking enforcement is suspended Monday through Wednesday nights this week. Vehicles must still be legally parked. Regular enforcement will resume Thursday night into Friday morning.

DPW crews have also been actively relocating stranded vehicles to the roadside to improve access and safety. The city asks owners to move those vehicles by Thursday to avoid impoundment.

When will streets be cleaned?

Street sweeping to remove flood debris will begin in the coming days, city officials said Tuesday. The DPW asks for public cooperation in keeping roadways clear to support efficient operations and reminds residents to avoid walking or driving through flooded areas, and to report storm-related issues such as:

• Street or basement flooding
• Stranded vehicles
• Downed trees or limbs
• Traffic or streetlight outages
• Any other service-related concerns

Reports can be submitted via milwaukee.gov/clickforaction, the MKE Mobile app, or by calling 414-286-CITY.