Milwaukee County's storm damage now estimated at $34 million as FEMA assessment wraps up

WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- FEMA's damage assessment teams have completed their work in southeast Wisconsin, moving the state to the next phase in the process to secure relief money.

While they wait, estimates of the cost of the damage continue to rise.

In addition to all the private homes and businesses that suffered devastating damage, a lot of public infrastructure -like roads, bridges, and parks- were also hit. And they will also need federal money to rebuild.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said, "But, again, it's going to take federal assistance to really recover to the timeframe or place that we deserve to be at."

But when that aid comes -or if it comes at all- is anyone's guess. It's very much needed, Crowley said, as he toured more damage sites Monday, Aug. 25.

Milwaukee County Parks Executive Director Guy Smith said, "We have at least 20-25 sites that we're going to be submitting documentation on."

Smith said each of the sites they saw has at least $50,000 of damage. Several county buildings need furnaces and other mechanicals. There's also extensive tree damage, lots of trail erosion, and they're trying to mitigate mold issues, among other problems.

Smith said, "A lot of sinkholes, a lot of other damage in our system. And we are analyzing all that and hoping that we can get relief."

One stretch of the Oak Leaf Trail under the Harmonee Avenue overpass was washed away and unstable. And a portion supporting the parking lot had also eroded away.

With similar scenes throughout the county, the total estimated price tag keeps jumping up.

Crowley pegged it at "More than $34 million. That not only includes our parks, but that also includes any bridges or roadways that may have been washed away."

With FEMA's work now complete, the ball rests in the governor's hands.

If the state is to get any money one day, Governor Evers must formally request the President issue a major disaster declaration.

But the cost is not just financial. Two people were confirmed to have died as a result of the storms, and others are still missing. Crowley said, "I am heartened at the fact that this didn't take many more lives."

While the recovery and search efforts continue, county leaders must prioritize what must be fixed first. And they're not yet sure how much of the $34 million costs the county alone can afford before relying on federal aid that may or may not come.

Crowley said, "Hopefully we'll see some type of declaration coming from the President, but only time will tell."

So many people are hanging onto the hope federal aid will come.

So, we reached out to the governor's office to ask about the next steps in the process and when they'll issue a formal request for a disaster declaration. The governor's office did not respond to our questions.