Milwaukee opens Disaster Recovery Centers for FEMA aid

Milwaukee County will open two Disaster Recovery Centers on Wednesday, Sept. 24, to assist residents with uninsured losses and emergency needs stemming from August storms and flooding. The centers—one in Milwaukee and one in Wauwatosa—will provide in-person help from county, state and federal representatives, including assistance with FEMA applications, status updates and guidance on appeals.

“Applying for federal assistance can feel overwhelming, but no one has to navigate the process alone,” County Executive David Crowley said in a statement. “At the free Milwaukee County Disaster Recovery Centers, FEMA, the State of Wisconsin, and Milwaukee County will have staff ready to answer questions and provide support every step of the way.”

Residents are not required to visit a center to receive FEMA aid. The fastest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362. The centers are intended for those who want additional support, need help uploading documents or prefer to speak one-on-one with staff. Milwaukee County residents may use either location without an appointment.

The Milwaukee site will operate at McNair Elementary School, 4950 N. 24th St., Milwaukee, WI 53209. The Wauwatosa site will be at Wauwatosa City Hall, 7725 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa, WI 53213. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and closed Sundays. On Friday, Oct. 10, the Wauwatosa center will close, with services moving to a new location to be announced later.

FEMA assistance may cover basic home repairs, personal property losses and other disaster-related needs such as childcare, transportation, medical, funeral or dental expenses. The deadline to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance is Nov. 12, 2025.

Separately, the U.S. Small Business Administration has opened a Business Recovery Center to support applicants for SBA disaster loans. The center, at Summit Place, 6737 W. Washington St., West Allis, WI 53214, is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Walk-ins are accepted; appointments can be scheduled at appointment.sba.gov. SBA loan applications can be submitted at sba.gov/disaster, with a filing deadline of Nov. 10, 2025.