FEMA Begins Damage Assessments After Historic Flooding in Southeast Wisconsin

Historic flooding in southeastern Wisconsin has caused extensive damage, with estimates exceeding $30 million in Milwaukee County and over $60 million in Waukesha County, affecting both public infrastructure and private properties. Thousands of residents, including Milwaukee homeowner Eddie Dixon, are urgently awaiting federal assistance as many homes remain uninhabitable and insurance coverage is uncertain. Governor Tony Evers has formally requested a joint preliminary damage assessment (PDA) from FEMA, which is a crucial step toward securing a presidential disaster declaration that would enable federal aid for recovery efforts. FEMA teams are coordinating with Wisconsin Emergency Management and are expected to arrive later this week to conduct damage assessments, although exact dates remain unconfirmed. Local officials, including Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and Mayor Cavalier Johnson, believe the damage threshold for federal assistance has been surpassed, but final approval and a disaster declaration depend on President Trump’s authorization. The federal aid, if granted, would provide critical support to homeowners, businesses, and local governments as they work to recover from the devastating floods.