Flooding earlier this month has been estimated to cost Waukesha County at least $97.8 million in total damages.
After the history flooding hit most of southeastern Wisconsin between August 8 and 9, many homeowners, businesses, and residents scrambled to deal with the effects. Some portions of the county saw rainfall totals as high as 14 inches and record breaking river crests.
In the weeks following the severe weather event, most areas were visited by FEMA teams. They have been making their way through the hardest hit communities including the city of Waukesha, Brookfield, and Menomonee Falls.
According to the county’s damage report, majority of the flood damage costs came from residential properties- about $95 million.
The estimated damage cost to commercial properties is significantly smaller- only about $2.8 million.
3 properties were completely destroyed, 310 properties sustained major damage, 221 properties sustained minor damage, 116 properties were considered ‘affected’, and 8 properties were deemed inaccessible.
FEMA’s purpose going forward will largely be to help thoroughly understand the extent of the damages, potentially provide financial aid, and help coordinate state and local agencies in hopes of recovery.
FEMA’S Public Assistance program is designed to help local areas recover by providing a significant portion of infrastructure repair costs. They have been known to provide up to 75% of the cost, leaving the remainder up to state and municipal governments.
Wisconsin’s State Emergency Operations Center was activated alongside Wisconsin Emergency Management shortly after the flooding. They have been working together to pool resources and provide aid in highly affected areas.
Damage assessments by these teams started as early as Tuesday, August 12 and are ongoing. Residents have been encouraged to call ‘211’ to report any flooding they may have experienced and share details about its impact.
After damage assessments are completed, Governor Tony Evers may file a a formal request to President Donald Trump for a federal disaster declaration. The report would be processed by both FEMA and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
If the formal request is approved, it would allow affected communities funding for long term recovery programs. This could include individualized grants to families and homeowners, public repair funds, and additional support for local governments.
