Disaster Recovery Centers open in 3 Wisconsin counties to help with flood assistance

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- It has been seven weeks since historic flooding impacted southeastern Wisconsin.

With federal aid now approved, government agencies are accepting individual applications for assistance for people dealing with flood damage in their homes.

Some new resources aim to make the application process easier.

For the next week, Waukesha County has designated Butler Village Hall as a Disaster Recovery Center: a home base for people who need that federal assistance.

It is one of several centers popping up across three counties.

"No one should have to feel like they have to go through this process alone, and that's why we have these recovery centers," said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley.

Milwaukee County will see two Disaster Recovery Centers open on Wednesday, Sept. 24: one at the old McNair Elementary School on 24th and Fairmount on the city's northwest side, and one at Wauwatosa City Hall.

"It has been a joy to just watch people come to the table and say, 'What can we offer, how can we help,'" said Chief Aaron Lipski with the Milwaukee Fire Department.

The Disaster Recovery Centers in Milwaukee, Waukesha and Washington Counties are a place to meet in-person with representatives from FEMA and the Small Business Administration.

"They can answer their questions, help them upload documents to their account, and give them step-by-step help applying for that FEMA assistance," said Nicole Wilson, a FEMA spokesperson.

They also have resources for concerns like mold remediation and cleanup.

Those in need can also apply for flood assistance online or over the phone. The centers are not required to receive federal aid; they're just another option.

If applying in person, residents are encouraged to bring any information about their damage, including photos, receipts and insurance claims, along with personal identification.

"The most important thing is FEMA needs to hear your story," Wilson explained. "Everybody's story is going to be different; everybody's level of damage is going to be different."

The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance online, over the phone, or in-person is Wednesday, Nov. 12.

"Don't wait until the last minute," Crowley said. "Apply today, so you and your family can get the support you need in order to move forward."

Wilson said FEMA money is already going out Wisconsin, saying $17 million of aid has been approved in the last two weeks.

The Waukesha County Disaster Recovery Center will remain at Butler Village Hall through Sept. 30. It will then move to the Brookfield Public Safety Building from Oct. 1-4 and Oct. 6-11, and finally to the Muskego City Hall from Oct. 13-17.    

Washington County's Disaster Recovery Center is located in West Bend, on the lower level of the Public Agency Center.