Wisconsin flood recovery; Red Cross offering financial aid for victims
Wisconsin flood recovery; Red Cross offering financial aid for victims
Help is on the way for flood victims across southeastern Wisconsin.
MILWAUKEE - As flood victims await the possibility of federal disaster assistance, a nonprofit is getting ready to offer funds to some victims in southeastern Wisconsin.
What we know:
The American Red Cross will begin calling, texting and emailing some flood victims on Tuesday, Aug. 26 to start the process of being considered for financial help.
The charity will offer money to some flood victims whose homes were destroyed or majorly damaged.
To be able to get this help, the damage must be so severe that you cannot live in your home. Homeowners who can live in their houses while repairs are made will not qualify.
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"We know that the need is great," said Catherine Rabenstine, American Red Cross of Wisconsin CEO.
The Red Cross already has a list of impacted properties, but families can also register online. The nonprofit did not share the total number of homeowners they plan to help.
"It really depends on the applications that we get," Rabenstine told FOX6.
The assistance will also vary by home.
"This isn’t a replacement for things like flood insurance, and we hope you’ll have other ways of paying for the whole cost of the repair, but we really want to help people get back on their feet."
Local perspective:
Robert Bettin of West Bend says his family’s home is beyond repair.
"It’s a complete and total loss," Bettin said. "Foreclosure is going to be our only option right now, because it’s just not worth putting hundreds of $1,000s in to make it livable again."
What's next:
As the Red Cross make plans for support, FEMA and the state of Wisconsin have finished the joint preliminary damage assessment for homes. That is a required step in the disaster declaration process that can lead to help for individuals.
Next, Wisconsin Emergency Management will make a formal recommendation to the governor, based on the joint federal-state assessment.
Then, Gov. Tony Evers can officially make his request to President Donald Trump to declare a major disaster, which can then unlock federal money for victims.
"Right now, we’re just waiting to see what happens, but it’s my hope that the President makes that declaration," Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said. "I absolutely think it rises to that level. We’ve calculated more than $34 million in damage to public infrastructure alone: our roads, our bridges, our parks."
Wisconsin flood damage, Red Cross begins financial relief outreach
The American Red Cross announced it has begun financial assistance outreach for people whose homes were destroyed or damaged due to Wisconsin floods.
According to Impact, the 211 operator in the region, approximately 23,000 damage reports have been filed across nine southeastern Wisconsin counties, with 83% in Milwaukee County.
What you can do:
The Red Cross is asking for volunteers and sites that can serve as future emergency shelters. The organization joined with Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, County Executive David Crowley and other elected and community leaders to make that appeal.
During the recent flooding, Rabenstine said the organization had enough space for flood victims, in part because Marshall High School served as an emergency shelter. With school starting, the group of leaders said they need additional options for future emergencies, like house fires. They also want to have shelters throughout the community.
Flood victims who cannot live in their homes, so might be eligible for the organization's financial assistance, can visit the Red Cross website or call 1-800-RED-CROSS to register for the possibility of receiving the aid.
The Source: FOX6 gathered this information through interviews with the Red Cross and other experts; it also is based on research into the disaster declaration process.