Milwaukee Disaster Recovery Center Assists Nearly 2,000 

Release Date: July 31, 2008
Release Number: 1768-115

» More Information on Wisconsin Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding

Madison, Wis. -- The best place in Milwaukee to find flood recovery assistance is located on the Milwaukee City Campus at 2711 W. Wells St. where the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) operates a Disaster Recovery Center. 

Visitors to the center find representatives from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and many state and local agencies and voluntary organizations.  All of these agencies have one purpose in common:  to help residents solve flood-related problems and apply for disaster assistance funding.

"We've been working in Milwaukee since June 20, and we're pleased that nearly 2,000 visitors have come to our Disaster Recovery Center, but we would like to help many more," said Jean McGhee, director of FEMA programs to help individuals and households in Wisconsin recover from flood losses. "More than 17,000 households in Milwaukee County have requested assistance through FEMA, so we encourage more area residents to find an hour to visit us.  They will gain important information to speed their recovery."

McGhee says the services in a disaster recovery center are well organized, especially if you registered first online at www.fema.gov or through the FEMA helpline, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). 

"Registering with FEMA is the key to assistance," said McGhee, "and it's easy."  After registering, a visitor to the center can meet with agency personnel who explain programs and provide updates on the progress of their application. 

Carl Stenbol is administrator of Milwaukee County's Emergency Management Bureau, and his counterpart with the city is Daniel Alexander, director of Homeland Security.  Both managers agree that there is value for residents to discuss storm-related losses in face-to-face meetings.

"When 17,000 homes in a community are disrupted all at once, you know that the community has some work cut out for itself," said Alexander.  "We're pleased with the amount of assistance that the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center is providing for Milwaukee area residents, and we encourage those with property damages to visit the center soon."

The facility operates Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Thursday, 31-Jul-2008 16:05:10