FEMA flood aid by the numbers: Disaster relief amounts to $20K per home

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- More than one month after an historic 1,000-year flood soaked much of southeastern Wisconsin, victims on Friday were able to begin applying for some of the nearly $30 million made available as federal flood relief.

President Donald Trump posted on social media Thursday Wisconsin would receive $29.8 million in flood relief.

A spokesperson for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said Friday those funds are for individual properties damaged. State emergency management officials said a second assessment, one focusing on public infrastructure damages, is still ongoing.

Gov. Tony Evers' administration has estimated the flooding caused $33 million in damages, including 1,500 residential properties that were destroyed or severely damaged in Milwaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties.

The $29.8 million given, divided by those 1,500 properties, would average out to slightly less than $20,000 per home.

However, FEMA added that aid covers a wide variety of costs victims have had to cover, including temporary housing, home repairs, vehicle repairs and moving expenses.

Near the intersection of N. 62nd St. and W. Villard Ave., Janine Bellamy stood over a pile of ruined belongings sitting on her curb. She said it was the ninth such pile she's had to set out since the August 10 downpour.

"Tragic. It has been a complete tragedy," Bellamy said. "We're blessed to still be here. However, it's been a lot."

A CBS 58 crew first went to Bellamy's home and interviewed her daughter, Khalia Carter, August 11, one day after the flood forced the family to walk through waist-high water to safety.

At that time, the drenched basement was filled with ruined belongings. Friday, the basement was completely empty, with the last of the wood paneling now part of the pile out front.

"When we were growing up, [my parents] had a really nice basement," she said. "We had a bar and pool tables and bedrooms downstairs, and this is what's left of it. This is the last of the dump."

Bellamy said the family hoped to receive federal aid that would allow them to replace the furnace, water heater, washer and dryer they lost. Without those items, the family, including her mother, daughter and grandchildren, have had to live elsewhere.

A FEMA release states people affected by the flood must first ensure they've seen whether their insurance provider will cover any of the damages. Federal aid is meant only for uninsured losses, and while applications are now open, FEMA will follow up for proof people contacted their insurers.

As part of the application process, people will need to provide contact information, including their email address, social security number, address where the flood damage happened, a general list of their losses and household income. 

As for the public infrastructure damage assessments, a Wisconsin Emergency Management spokeswoman said those are still ongoing. Alex Freeman, Waukesha County's emergency management coordinator, said Friday on-the-ground assessments there wrapped up Tuesday.

"Governor Evers’ request for Public Assistance remains in process with no set timeline for a decision," a FEMA spokesperson wrote in an email Friday.

The Evers administration estimates the state suffered $43 million in damage to public property across Door, Grant, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties.

Rep. Bryan Steil said the state's congressional congregation will still pushing for the Trump administration to grant that second disaster declaration, opening up funds for local governments.

"There's gonna be additional details as the paperwork comes out," Steil said. "I'm gonna be reading through that thoroughly, making sure we're getting the funds we need in Wisconsin and in the Milwaukee area."

All things considered, Bellamy said she considers herself fortunate. She notes said she knows at least eight neighbors who permanently moved out after the flood because they're unable or unwilling to repair the major damage their homes sustained.

"I cry. I scream. I yell, but I still have my faith," she said. "I trust. I just trust that everything will be OK for my family and myself."