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FEMA flood relief funds available to residents in Milwaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties

Garbage piled up on grass next to the curb of the street in front of some houses
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Federal disaster assistance is available to individuals in Milwaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties who were affected by historic rainfall and flooding last month. 

President Donald Trump announced on social media Thursday that Wisconsin will receive $29.8 million in federal disaster relief aid. 

The assistance could include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and families recover from the effects of the storms that occurred Aug. 9-12. 

A spokesperson for Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said that how and when the money will be distributed to individuals will be determined by the Trump administration.

People who sustained losses in the designated areas should first file claims with their insurance providers and then apply for assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA App.

State and federal officials believe the floods caused more than $33 million in damages to private property in Milwaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties. 

The request by Gov. Tony Evers for a presidential disaster declaration also included a request to FEMA’s Public Assistance Program for Door, Grant and Ozaukee counties. 

On Friday, FEMA officials announced that additional designations may be made at a later date depending on what damage assessments show.

The Evers administration estimates 1,500 residential structures were destroyed and flooding caused more than $43 million in public sector damage throughout six Wisconsin counties.

“Over the past month, my administration and I have been working hard to ensure the folks and families whose homes, businesses, schools, and community centers were impacted have the support they need to recover,” Evers said in a statement released Thursday evening.

A recent Associated Press data analysis found that disaster survivors are having to wait longer to get aid from the federal government than they did in the past.

This story was originally published by WPR.

FEMA flood relief funds available to residents in Milwaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties is a post from Wisconsin Watch, a non-profit investigative news site covering Wisconsin since 2009. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.

FEMA flood relief funds available to residents in Milwaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties

The assistance could include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and families recover from the effects of the storms that occurred Aug. 9-12. 

The post FEMA flood relief funds available to residents in Milwaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties appeared first on WPR.

$6M now available annually to fund driver’s education for low-income Wisconsin students

An annual $6 million allocation for the Wisconsin Driver Education Grant has been made permanent. High school students who are ready for driver's education and qualify for free or reduced lunch can apply online through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.  

The post $6M now available annually to fund driver’s education for low-income Wisconsin students appeared first on WPR.

New head of Milwaukee Public Schools wants to rebuild community trust. It’s an uphill battle.

The school district has long struggled with the same issues plaguing urban school districts across the nation, including declining enrollment, rising absenteeism and funding deficits. Recently, MPS was beset by a financial scandal followed by a lead crisis.

The post New head of Milwaukee Public Schools wants to rebuild community trust. It’s an uphill battle. appeared first on WPR.

Flood damage not covered by home insurance, residents waiting on FEMA declaration

Thousands of people have filed claims after flood waters inundated homes or swamped vehicles. But flood damage to buildings is not covered by home or renters insurance unless they have purchased flood policies, said Sarah Smith, spokesperson with the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance. 

The post Flood damage not covered by home insurance, residents waiting on FEMA declaration appeared first on WPR.

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