{"generated_at":"2026-08-24T04:27:30.260Z","disaster":{"id":"697eec7ab421ded58f48b6e7","slug":"milwaukee-flash-flooding-august-2025","name":"Milwaukee Flash Flooding August 2025","status":"long_term_recovery","type":"flooding","date_reported":"2025-08-09","affected_regions":"Wisconsin (WI)","coordinates":"43.0410344, -87.9096783","overview":"<p>Historic flash flooding struck southeast Wisconsin during the evening of August 9 into August 10, 2025, after repeated thunderstorms produced extreme rainfall over Milwaukee and the western suburbs. The National Weather Service reported that eastern Waukesha County and northern/western Milwaukee County received <strong>10–13 inches of rain in several hours</strong>, with localized totals above <strong>12 inches</strong>, causing significant flash flooding in Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, West Allis, Menomonee Falls, Elm Grove, New Berlin, and surrounding communities. Multiple rivers rose to flood stage, including a record crest on the Milwaukee River at Milwaukee, and residents experienced flooded homes, destroyed vehicles, utility outages, water rescues, sewer backups, and prolonged cleanup needs. Months later, Milwaukee County long-term recovery partners reported that more than <strong>7,000 Crisis Cleanup cases</strong> had been logged and more than <strong>5,000 remained open</strong>, with continuing needs including home repairs, damaged furnaces and water heaters, mold remediation, FEMA appeals, insurance navigation, and volunteer rebuilding teams.</p><p><br></p><p>At least <strong>13,000+ residents/property reports</strong>, with thousands of households seeking federal assistance. FEMA reported <strong>$208.8 million</strong> in Individuals and Households Program assistance approved for Disaster 4892 as of the latest FEMA disaster page update, while an October FEMA/WEM update had already documented <strong>7,144 households</strong> approved for more than <strong>$48.4 million</strong> in assistance.</p><p><br></p><p>The biggest continuing needs identified by recovery leaders were <strong>home repairs, damaged furnaces and water heaters, recurring mold, and assistance recovering losses</strong>. UMCOR Wisconsin was identified as a key long-term recovery partner helping coordinate disaster case management and volunteer rebuilding teams, with volunteer crews expected to help with drywall, electrical repairs, basement restoration, mold remediation education, and community navigation.</p><p><br></p><p>The federal disaster declaration was <strong>FEMA-4892-DR-WI</strong> for severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, and mudslides beginning August 9, 2025. FEMA Individual Assistance was approved for <strong>Milwaukee, Washington, and Waukesha counties</strong>; IRS disaster tax relief applied to individuals and businesses in those same counties.</p><p><br></p><ul><li><strong>Milwaukee proper</strong> was heavily affected, especially <strong>north side neighborhoods</strong>.</li><li>The <strong>suburb of Wauwatosa</strong> was particularly hard hit, with widespread structural and business damage</li><li>Counties reporting damage include <strong>Milwaukee</strong>, <strong>Waukesha</strong>, <strong>Washington</strong>, <strong>Ozaukee</strong>, and <strong>Dodge</strong></li><li>Other localities, such as <strong>Greenfield</strong> and <strong>West Allis</strong>, also reported significant flooding, sewage backups, and damage</li></ul><p><br></p><h3><strong>Long-Term Recovery Group (LTRG)</strong></h3><p><a href=\"https://sewicoad.org/ltrg/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://sewicoad.org/ltrg/</a></p>","url":"https://app.servesource.org/DisasterDetail?disaster=milwaukee-flash-flooding-august-2025","last_updated":"2026-05-21T16:27:58.957Z"},"response_count":3,"truncated":false,"responses":[{"id":"697fbc0ec273e50b5bb9bb0a","organization":{"id":"697e7ccbd992ae496f153890","name":"Christ In Action","url":"https://app.servesource.org/OrganizationDetail?id=697e7ccbd992ae496f153890","org_type":"faith_based_nonprofit","primary_category":"Tree Work/Chainsaw Crews","services":["Mental Health/Crisis Counseling","Logistics","Community/Mobile Showers","Transportation Services","Assessment Teams","Tree Work/Chainsaw Crews","cleanup","assessment","Muck Out/Ash Out","Debris Management"],"website":"https://christinaction.com/","logo":"https://base44.app/api/apps/695c704f24f26045c4d0f1c0/files/public/695c704f24f26045c4d0f1c0/48ceba88b_ChristInAction-2025.jpg","description":"Christ In Action exists to extend the ministry of the gospel by mobilizing and equipping the local church to be active in times of crisis, training in preparedness and crisis intervention to bring hope to America’s families. ","region":"VA","faith_based":true,"verified_tier":"verified_faith_based_partner","drrn_member":true},"scope":"disaster","services":["Debris Management"],"start_date":"2025-08-16","end_date":"2025-08-30","narrative":"Christ in Action is responding to Milwaukee.","website_link":"https://www.christinaction.com/content/Home.aspx","location":{"name":null,"address":"Milwaukee, WI","city":null,"county":null,"state":null,"coordinates":"43.0410344, -87.9096783"},"has_volunteer_opportunity":false,"volunteer_tags":[],"last_updated":"2026-08-20T16:13:55.696000"},{"id":"697fbc0ec273e50b5bb9bb0b","organization":{"id":"695c734226c48d5b1649200b","name":"Samaritan's Purse","url":"https://app.servesource.org/OrganizationDetail?id=695c734226c48d5b1649200b","org_type":"faith_based_nonprofit","primary_category":"cleanup","services":["feeding","muck_out","roof_tarping","resource_distribution","spiritual_care"],"website":"https://samaritanspurse.org","logo":"https://base44.app/api/apps/695c704f24f26045c4d0f1c0/files/public/695c704f24f26045c4d0f1c0/6d1aa0645_SamaritansPurse-2025.jpg","description":"Samaritan's Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world.","region":"National","faith_based":true,"verified_tier":"verified_organization","drrn_member":true},"scope":"disaster","services":["Muck Out/Ash Out"],"start_date":"2025-08-16","end_date":"2025-09-06","narrative":"Volunteers will assist homeowners affected by recent flooding and will help in Jesus' Name with content recovery, debris cleanup, and mudout.","website_link":"https://www.spvolunteer.org/project-response/775","location":{"name":null,"address":"777 South Barker Road, Brookfield, WI, 53045","city":null,"county":null,"state":null,"coordinates":"43.0226426, -88.168319"},"has_volunteer_opportunity":false,"volunteer_tags":[],"last_updated":"2026-08-20T16:13:55.696000"},{"id":"697fbc0ec273e50b5bb9bb08","organization":{"id":"697c0b4c1b79c50601aba6a8","name":"Convoy of Hope","url":"https://app.servesource.org/OrganizationDetail?id=697c0b4c1b79c50601aba6a8","org_type":"faith_based_nonprofit","primary_category":null,"services":[],"website":"https://convoyofhope.org/initiatives/disaster-relief/","logo":"https://base44.app/api/apps/695c704f24f26045c4d0f1c0/files/public/695c704f24f26045c4d0f1c0/bda139728_ConvoyofHope-2025.jpg","description":"Convoy of Hope is a humanitarian, faith-based organization on a mission to feed the hungry and bring help and hope to communities that need it most.","region":null,"faith_based":true,"verified_tier":"verified_faith_based_partner","drrn_member":true},"scope":"disaster","services":["Resource Provider"],"start_date":"2025-08-13","end_date":"2025-08-27","narrative":"Convoy of Hope has delivered cleaning supplies, food, water, hygiene kits, and more.  See website for support opportunities and more details.","website_link":"https://convoyofhope.org/disaster-relief/wisconsin-floods-25/","location":{"name":null,"address":"Milwaukee, WI","city":null,"county":null,"state":null,"coordinates":"43.0410344, -87.9096783"},"has_volunteer_opportunity":false,"volunteer_tags":[],"last_updated":"2026-08-20T16:13:55.696000"}]}