Flooded basements, ruined furniture and multiple bridges and roads in need of repairs are some of the damages due to the historic flooding and rainfall that hit the Milwaukee area from Aug. 9 and 10.
On Aug. 21, the FEMA team canvassed the streets, toured the damage and talked to homeowners in Washington County to assess the damage caused by the 1,000-year flood that hit the Milwaukee area. This included more than 10 inches of rain in some areas that created historic water damage.
County Executive Josh Schoemann talks to the FEMA team and with residents of some of their homes in Washington County Aug. 21.
Fran McLaughlin, director of communications for Washington County, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in an email on Aug. 26 that the current estimate for public assessment damages for the county is $43 million with 110 public assessment reports. She added it is too early to identify the individual assessment damage totals accurately.
Germantown Village Administrator Steve Kreklow said the reports of damage to his community is approximately $500,000.
Richfield, Germantown and West Bend were hit the hardest by the flooding, McLaughlin said.
What homes Washington County may qualify for FEMA funding?
McLaughlin said the county has 824 individual assessment reports from people affected by the flooding.
The homes impacted the most from the flood were the residences along 16th Street in West Bend and in the Riversbend subdivision in Germantown.
In West Bend, 236 homes reported having flood damage, said Jacob Moeller, communications coordinator for West Bend. He said FEMA officials also toured West Bend.
In Germantown, 48 people from 40 homes voluntarily evacuated on Aug. 12 due to the flooding in the Riversbend subdivision, Kreklow said, while 68 families decided to shelter in place. He added damage occurred to more than 600 village households.
FEMA officials tour Washington County to assess the flood damage that happened in early August.
What road repairs are seeking FEMA funding?
FEMA officials assessed roads in need of repairs.
McLaughlin said the county has seen road washouts, closures and bridge damage that will cause disrupted emergency response and community access. Additionally, debris removal took place, including significant debris that impeded roadways and public spaces, and damage occurred to water control facilities, utilities and parks and recreation facilities.
McLaughlin said inspections were done to about 50 bridges or culverts, while road inspections included the Indian Lore Road Bridge in the Town of Farmington, which serves as a primary route for residents, school transportation, agricultural traffic, emergency services and tourist travel to a local zoo.
A Rockfield Road culvert was washed out in the Village of Germantown, McLaughlin said, while flood damage was seen on Interstate 41, north of County Line Road, and County Highway Q, west of Interstate 41.
What is the timeline for FEMA funding?
McLaughlin said who and how much funding will be provided to Washington County has not been determined.
According to a Washington County social media reel, seven steps exist to get FEMA funding.
First, the state identifies a disaster, then there needs to be damage assessment, the damage is then reviewed to determine its extent, the state determines if federal assistance is needed, a disaster request is filed and then the president reviews the request. If the president approves the request, FEMA funds are granted.
If people need assistance, can the Red Cross provide it?
According to the frequency asked questions from the American Red Cross posted on the Washington County website, the Red Cross does provide free financial aid for people impacted from the flooding.
According to the FAQ sheet, the Red Cross is conducting damage assessments and reaching out to households to discuss their eligibility for financial assistance.
To qualify for Red Cross assistance, one’s primary residence must be assessed as either destroyed or having sustained significant structural damage that needs extensive repairs.
For more information on getting Red Cross assistance, visit redcross.org/GetHelp or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
How can I help people impacted by the flood?
According to a GoFundMe page, a fundraiser for multiple homes affected by the flood on 16th Street in West Bend will be held from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at Gary’s Place, 110 Wisconsin Ave. in West Bend. Activities include a charity and a 50/50 raffle, food and beverages with 10% of the proceeds going to the families and a sample beverage tasting. For more information on this fundraiser, visit gofundme.com/f/16th-avenue-flood-relief-for-west-bend-families.
To make a donation to the American Red Cross, visit redcross.org/donate/dr/wisconsin-floods-2025.html.
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Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on X at @kozlowicz_cathy.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: FEMA officials assess flood damage for Wisconsin’s Washington County