MILWAUKEE, Wis. (WTAQ) - Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker asked the governor’s office today to seek a federal disaster declaration, after rains of up to eight-inches caused massive flooding problems last night.
Walker said the state’s largest county had “severe losses of a major proportion.” And he said the costs to recover are beyond the county’s resources. Walker asked the county’s Emergency Management Department to assess the damage with the help of municipal officials in the city and suburbs.
Earlier today, a Milwaukee official said entire neighborhoods had extreme damage from basement floods. At least two thousand homes reported basement damage. City crews were also working to fill in a giant sinkhole 20 feet and 40 feet wide which swallowed a Cadillac SUV late yesterday.
Mitchell International Airport remained closed late this morning. The Whitefish Bay Village Hall had electrical damage. The Milwaukee County Historical Society asked people for fans to dry out 50 to 60 boxes of records that date back to the 1920’s.
It was not raining this morning, but forecasters expect heavy rains to return to the southern half of Wisconsin tonight. A National Weather Service forecaster said areas south of Milwaukee could get up to three more inches. A flash flood watch remains in effect for southern Wisconsin through tomorrow morning.
