25 signatures reached
To: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the White House
"Milwaukee Is Drowning — Where Is FEMA?"
Disaster Overview
- On August 9–10, 2025, Milwaukee and surrounding areas—including Wauwatosa, West Allis, and multiple suburbs—endured an unprecedented flash flood event, widely recognized as a 1,000‑year flood.(Wikipedia,AP News, Axios)
- Rainfall totals reached staggering heights:
- Northwest Milwaukee saw over 14 inches in just 24 hours.(Wisconsin State Climatology Office, AP News)
- The Milwaukee airport area recorded about 6.9 inches, with even higher amounts in suburbs.(AP News,Wisconsin State Climatology Office)
- Rivers—including the Milwaukee, Root, Menomonee, and Kinnickinnic—crested at record levels, with the Milwaukee River rising more than 4 feet above flood stage.(AP News, Wisconsin State Climatology Office, Wikipedia)
2. Impact Across Communities
- Infrastructure and Events Disrupted:
- Emergency Response:
- Housing and Power:
- Thousands were displaced. Temporary shelters were opened at Holler Park and Washington Park Senior Center.(Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, AP News, OnMilwaukee)
- Roughly 47,000 residents lost power, with broader counts later estimating that approximately 2,000 to 14,000 homesremained offline.(Wikipedia, AP News, New York Post)
- Financial Impact:
- 150 emergency personnel conducted damage assessments on about 2,400 properties, with preliminary damage estimates exceeding $23 million—more than twice the threshold required for FEMA disaster assistance.(WUWM,Milwaukee County, Wikipedia)
- State and Local Government Actions:
- Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and Governor Tony Eversdeclared states of emergency.(New York Post, AP News, Wikipedia, WUWM)
- Governor Evers authorized National Guard deployment.(WISN, Spectrum News 1)
- A request for FEMA preliminary damage assessment has been formally submitted.(WUWM, Milwaukee County)
3. Community Needs and Recovery Efforts
Immediate Needs:
- Safe, insured housing and temporary shelter for displaced families.
- Clean-up and mold remediation support, as well as junk removal and item disposal.(Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, Milwaukee County)
Ongoing Recovery:
- Structural repairs and rebuilding of homes, businesses, and essential infrastructure.
- Mental health and emotional support for survivors.
Resources Already Mobilized:
- Emergency shelters: Holler Park and Washington Park Senior Center; Marshall High School serving additional housing needs.(WUWM, Milwaukee County)
- Free junk removal: Power Moves Relocation offering limited help, plus City drop-off fee waivers.(Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, OnMilwaukee)
- Free storage: U‑Haul providing 30 days of self-storage/U‑Box services at multiple locations.(Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, OnMilwaukee)
- Health and safety guidance including mold prevention and sewage hazard advice.(WUWM)
- Community relief coordination via Crisis Cleanup profiles, United Way donations, Feeding America, and SEWI COAD partnerships.(Milwaukee County)
4. Why FEMA Must Act Now
- Residents are suffering severe losses—homes, livelihoods, and safety disrupted.
- The $23M+ damage already exceeds FEMA’s eligibility criteria for disaster funding in Wisconsin.(WUWM)
- Federal resources are critical to support recovery, rebuild infrastructure, and mitigate future risks.
We, the undersigned, respectfully urge FEMA to:
- Promptly authorize a full disaster declaration and release funding through the Individuals and Households Program (IHP) and Public Assistance (PA) programs.
- Deploy FEMA teams immediately to assess damage, distribute aid, and coordinate recovery logistics.
- Provide long-term support for infrastructure repair, housing stabilization, and flood mitigation measures.
- Ensure transparent communication and timely response so affected residents know what assistance is available and how to access it.
Our community is resilient—and with FEMA's support, we can recover stronger than before.
Why is this important?
Why We’re Urging FEMA to Act — And Why You Should Join Us
The people of Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, West Allis, and surrounding communities are facing a crisis that no city should bear alone. After the historic August 9th flood, thousands of families are still without safe homes, clean water, or basic stability.
We are calling on FEMA not just for funding — but for recognition, urgency, and support. The damage exceeds federal aid thresholds. The need is real. And the longer the delay, the harder recovery becomes.
We ask every American to stand with us by signing this petition — because this could happen in anytown, to any family. By showing solidarity, you help make clear that our federal emergency system must respond swiftly and equitably when disaster strikes.
FEMA: Our community matters. The time to act is now.