Wisconsin flood damage, FEMA officials to assess aftermath this week

FEMA headed to Wisconsin after historic floods

FEMA will be in southeast Wisconsin later this week to assess the aftermath of severe storms and historic floods, FOX6 News confirmed on Tuesday.

MILWAUKEE - FEMA will be in southeast Wisconsin later this week to assess the aftermath of severe storms and historic floods, FOX6 News confirmed on Tuesday.

FEMA to Wisconsin

What they're saying:

It's the next big step that could lead to federal help for flood victims. Officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency will start inspecting flood damage on Thursday, Aug. 21.

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FEMA will visit three of Wisconsin's hardest-hit counties: Milwaukee, Washington and Waukesha. While assessments are only planned for those three counties, additional counties may be added in the future at the state’s request.

Street flooded in southeast Wisconsin

Devastating floods turned people's treasures into trash. Wisconsin requested FEMA's assistance last week. 

"I also found out that FEMA wasn’t right here in Milwaukee yet, so I have a problem with that," said resident Denise Midell.

Congressional request

What they're saying:

Earlier on Tuesday, Wisconsin's congressional delegation wrote FEMA's head with a "urgent request." They urged the federal agency to start the required assessment as soon as possible.

"I trust that we're going to press for fair treatment, whatever that number is. I'm going to leverage the bipartisan relationship to get every dime," said U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore.

For comparison, in 2008, President George W. Bush declared a major disaster nine days after flooding. About 24,000 Wisconsinites got some FEMA help – an average of roughly $4,000.

"Urgent request" from Wisconsin's congressional delegation

"It really does demonstrate that we are capable of doing great things when we come together in a bipartisan way," Moore said. "We aren't going to be able to replace everything, but it seems to me I know people who've lost their washer, dryer, hot water heaters. These are not cheap things to, you know, to push into your budget at the last minute."

What's next:

After FEMA visits and estimates damage, Gov. Tony Evers can ask the president to declare a major disaster. That declaration could unlock disaster relief money for flood victims.

"It was a national disaster for me, for sure. This was a huge loss," Dan Ries, owner of Ries Graphics in Butler.  "I hope they consider us for some funds, because it sure would keep the operation going. We have 50 people who depend on working here everyday."

Flooding in southeast Wisconsin

Damage estimates

By the numbers:

Milwaukee County said it surveyed damage at 3,434 properties. Of those, 53% were considered "destroyed" or having "major damage." While there is no total price tag for that damage to private property, damage to public infrastructure in the county reached $34 million.

In Waukesha County, officials estimated $86.6 million in damage to private property and another $4.4 million in damage to public property.

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Washington County surveyed more than 800 homes. Ninety homes were inaccessible due to flooding, and 70 homes were considered "destroyed" or having "major damage." The county also noted 100 public property damage reports totaling more than $1.8 million.

Across the nine counties around Milwaukee, 19,000 people have reported damage to 211. More than 80% of those reports were in Milwaukee County.

Editor's note: This story was updated to add more information.