Democrats Pounce on Wisconsin Flooding

Democrats Pounce on Wisconsin Flooding As 'Proof' of the 'Climate Crisis' (but Here's the TRUTH)https://t.co/3y0mK1O7Ra pic.twitter.com/nsm2epgWaq

— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) August 11, 2025

The climate crisis is here. This time, it's our community posting the wild videos on social media of flash floods. It's our neighbors lined up outside Home Depot to try and salvage their homes. It's our lives hanging in the balance. pic.twitter.com/0ZoUDlb74P

— Chris Larson (@ChrisJLarson) August 10, 2025

Liberals are already blaming "climate change" for the unprecedented flooding in Milwaukee over the weekend. But climate change had nothing to do with it. Here's what actually caused the storms 🧵🧵🧵 pic.twitter.com/OMvIPOMDyY

— Dan O'Donnell (@DanODonnellShow) August 11, 2025

Here's what happened:

A massive low pressure system over Canada kept that stalled front stationary for hours, which prolonged the rainfall and allowed the storms to keep forming over Southeast Wisconsin.

— Dan O'Donnell (@DanODonnellShow) August 11, 2025

All of these are short-term weather effects and have nothing to do with climate, which refers to longer-scale timeframes. Anyone trying to tell you otherwise is either lying or has no idea what they're talking about.

— Dan O'Donnell (@DanODonnellShow) August 11, 2025

Local meteorologists covering the flooding explained this repeatedly as the disaster was unfolding on Saturday night.

Apparently, Chris Larson doesn't pay attention to local TV coverage.

Wisconsin State Fair Closed

After last night’s flash flooding resulted in the early closure of State Fair Park, Wisconsin State Fair officials have determined the Fair Park will not reopen for Sunday, August 10. We understand the disappointment you may feel as our team works all year for these 11 days.… pic.twitter.com/NZOhPAU3mT

— Wisconsin State Fair (@wistatefair) August 10, 2025

Brewers Will Play Today

Today's game will be played as scheduled with the 1:10 pm start time.

Please stay tuned for more information soon. https://t.co/FuxaSg7OyZ pic.twitter.com/Sa68vEjh0O

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) August 10, 2025

Second Highest Rainfall Total Ever in Milwaukee

Yesterday's rain in Milwaukee was the second highest total ever. pic.twitter.com/dnfw3AUvOE

— Drew Burgoyne (@CBS58Drew) August 10, 2025

Historic flooding in the Milwaukee Metro Area.
These are radar rainfall estimates from the last 18 hours.
Most of this rain came down in the span of just a few hours. #wiwx pic.twitter.com/wVDCz4ulgq

— Brendan Johnson (@WxBrendan) August 10, 2025

One of the most insane rain events I can remember for Milwaukee county.

Just look at these rain totals from the last 18 hours!!

Water rescues are ongoing. pic.twitter.com/50gumsCn9x

— Meteorologist Sam Kuffel (@SamKuffelWx) August 10, 2025

Dane County Flooding

It's a terrible experience to watch the water rise as rain just keeps falling. You can't do anything to make it stop. You're completely powerless.

From the Wisconsin State Journal:

An epic rainfall swept one man to his death, washed out bridges, swamped homes, cars and businesses, and marooned dozens of shoppers overnight at a Middleton discount store Monday.

The flash floods took many by surprise, forcing emergency responders and ordinary citizens into extraordinary efforts to rescue those caught in the rushing water.

“In my mind, last night was nothing but heroes working every single moment to save lives,” Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney said Tuesday.

The National Weather Service estimated 15.33 inches of rain fell in Cross Plains which, if confirmed, would be the heaviest rainfall for a 24-hour period ever recorded in Wisconsin. The official record for rainfall over 24 hours was 11.72 inches near Mellen in June 1946.

Madison officially recorded 3.92 inches of rain at the Dane County Regional Airport on the North Side, a record for Aug. 20, though rain continued to fall after midnight.

The deluge caused widespread flooding in Mazomanie and Cross Plains, washed out a highway bridge in Black Earth as well as a nearby railroad bridge and closed roads throughout southern Wisconsin.

Downtown Mazomanie is devastated by flooding. Search & rescue has ended & no one is unaccounted for, thankfully! @WKOW #wiwx pic.twitter.com/7RTnJ8Wra4

— Max Tsaparis (@MaxTsaparis) August 21, 2018

Water still raging on the Black Earth "Creek" in Mazo. And this is actually much better than this morning.

Check out how high the water level was on this house! #wiwx pic.twitter.com/Ij4dT4Dwps

— Max Tsaparis (@MaxTsaparis) August 21, 2018

Mazomanie completely under water today from massive #flooding. Thanks to Matt Packard for sharing this aerial view! #wiwx pic.twitter.com/gIpJ8m26Ks

— Max Tsaparis (@MaxTsaparis) August 22, 2018

Jim Holperin's Record

Voters in the recall election of DEMOCRAT state senator Jim Holperin have a great opportunity on Tuesday, August 16.

They can do themselves a favor, as well as the people of Wisconsin, and vote Holperin out of office.

A quick review of his record shows why we need to rid the state legislature of Jim Doyle Democrats.

Holperin's record in Madison (and Illinois) is abysmal.

Kim Simac is an exceedingly better choice. She offers the sort of change that will keep Wisconsin on the right track.

Rhinelander, WI - Through all the rhetoric, the millions in outside money and the personal attacks against Kim Simac, Jim Holperin’s record in Madison is still at the heart Tuesday’s recall election. But Holperin is on the wrong side of the issues: jobs, debt, the economy and taxes.

“If you haven’t noticed, Jim Holperin and his friends are running on just about everything but the issues. There wouldn’t be all these wild distractions - and attacks on my family business - if Jim Holperin weren’t terrified of his own job-killing record in Madison,” Kim Simac said.

On Tuesday, the voters in Madison will have their say on the real issues. Jim Holperin’s record in Madison includes:

Jobs: with Jim Holperin and Jim Doyle in charge, Wisconsin lost 150,000 jobs, unemployment was in double digits in much of his district, and for the first time in state history, government jobs outnumbered manufacturing jobs in Wisconsin.

Taxes: Jim Holperin voted for billions in job-killing tax hikes, including higher taxes on small businesses and job creators in the middle of the recession.

Debt: Jim Holperin voted for a budget with the highest general obligation bonding in Wisconsin history - pushing the burden onto future generations.

Property Taxes: Jim Holperin voted in favor of $1.5 billion in property tax hikes, and against a property tax freeze that helps seniors stay in their homes.

Runaway government... Runaway senator: Holperin’s budget took stimulus money, increased spending and grew the government by 6 percent - at a time when the recession was forcing everybody else to cut back. Then, worst of all, he fled to Illinois for a three-week vacation on the taxpayers' dime, instead of fixing the mess he helped create.

“When it comes to the Northwoods, Jim Holperin abandoned his constituents long before he fled to Illinois. Sadly, when you look at the record of what he actually has done in Madison, he might have been doing us all a favor by leaving. On Tuesday, we can finish the job by voting him out of office,” Simac said.

This is really a no-brainer.

A vote for Holperin is a vote for higher taxes, debt, and a bad economy.

A vote for Kim Simac is a vote for responsible government, respect for the taxpayer, and a thriving economy.

The choice is obvious. Vote for Kim Simac.
__________________

Here's video of the disgraceful Jim Holperin in Rockford, Illinois, NOT fulfilling his duties as a public servant of the people of Wisconsin. This was early in the 14 AWOL DEMOCRAT state senators' stint in Illinois. The negligence of Holperin and his DEMOCRAT comrades, servants of Big Labor, had only just begun.

Biden in Milwaukee: Kagen and Lassa

Joe Biden is in Milwaukee today raising funds for Democrat candidates from the 7th and 8th congressional districts.

Note: Those districts are in northern Wisconsin, not bordering Milwaukee, not even close. See map.

Nonetheless, Biden is looking to get cash from southeastern Wisconsin libs for those races.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Vice President Joe Biden will return to Wisconsin on Friday for another fundraiser, but this time for two Congressional candidates.

...On Friday, he will hold a lunch reception at the Wisconsin Club in Milwaukee to raise money for two Democrats, State Sen. Julie Lassa and U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen. The prices range from $250 to $2,400

Lassa is trying to defeat Republican Sean Duffy for the 7th Congressional District seat, which is being vacated by longtime Democratic U.S. Rep. David Obey.

Kagen is facing a challenge for his job in northeastern Wisconsin's 8th District from Republican Reid Ribble.

Steve "'terrorist slayer' on 'injun time'" Kagen is toast.

Forget it, champ. It's over, Joe.

As for the race in the 7th district, the Journal Sentinel is calling it a toss-up.

Huh?

The Hill's poll shows Sean Duffy with a 9-point lead over Dem Julie Lassa.

Democrats are poised to lose Rep. David Obey’s (Wis.) district — one of several long-held Democratic seats in danger of becoming Republican trophies this cycle.

The Hill 2010 Midterm Election Poll found that Democrat Julie Lassa trails Republican Sean Duffy by almost 10 points in Obey’s district.

Toss-up?

Obviously, Biden being dispatched to Milwaukee to raise funds for Lassa and Kagen is a desperate move.

Actually, I'm glad Biden is back in Wisconsin.

What delicious stupid remark will he make this time?

Love ya, champ.

Michael Payne and Sally Heiple-Payne

Michael Payne and Sally Heiple-Payne have been hit with steep fines for taking matters into their own hands.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Police are seeking fines of $1,500 each against village residents Michael Payne and Sally Heiple-Payne for allegedly removing a manhole cover in the 1500 block of E. Fairmount Ave. during the Aug. 20-21 storm, in violation of an ordinance prohibiting a person from allowing storm water to enter a sanitary sewer, police Lt. Ronald Stefanski said Thursday.

The citations against the couple accuse them of removing the manhole cover early Aug. 21, eight minutes after midnight.

A few minutes later, the couple approached a police officer dispatched to the flooded intersection of Fairmount and Cumberland avenues, according to an incident report released Thursday.

Heiple-Payne told Officer Michael Grass that she and her husband removed the manhole cover so water in the intersection would drain.

They reside in the 5000 block of N. Cumberland Blvd., according to the citations made public Thursday.

Village officials have said the illegal act caused sewage backups in at least a dozen homes. The uncovered manhole shaft leading to the sanitary sewer was discovered Aug. 21.

On the evening of the storm, Payne complained of recurring flooding in a telephone message for Village President Kathleen Pritchard. In a telephone conversation the next day, Payne "talked about taking matters into his own hands," Pritchard recalled in an interview with a police officer included in the incident reports.

The couple was ticketed in response to a Sept. 14 complaint from the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District. MMSD officials said the village ordinance prohibiting intentional discharges of storm water into sanitary sewers is needed to prevent basement backups.

It was not a good idea to remove that manhole cover.

It's appropriate that the couple is being held accountable for their actions. What they did was in violation of an ordinance. They likely are responsible for their neighbors' flooded basements.

However, the homes in this neighborhood have flooded repeatedly. They aren't to blame for all the sewage backups.

MMSD has a problem that it needs to address. The flooding is unacceptable. No taxpayer should have to put up with sewage flowing into their homes when there's a bit of rain.

Because the buck stops with him, I think Tom Barrett should pay the fines.

Obama: Labor Day, Milwaukee

UPDATE, September 6, 2010: OBAMA: They talk about me like a dog.
_______________

UPDATE: DETAILS HERE.
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UPDATE: Details on the event still sketchy.

President Barack Obama will be in Milwaukee on Labor Day - his third visit to the area in a little over two months - to talk directly to working families.

Obama will appear at Laborfest on the Maier Festival Grounds. The event, to be held from noon to 7 p.m., is open to the public, but a ticket will be required to see the president. The ticketing procedure is still being worked out.

In addition to Obama, Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis and Richard Trumka, president of the national AFL-CIO, will be at the event.

In 2008, Obama appeared at Laborfest as a candidate for president. Instead of his planned speech, then Sen. Obama asked the crowd to remember the victims of Hurricane Gustav.

The festival, held annually, is organized by the Milwaukee Area Labor Council. Sheila Cochran, secretary-treasurer and chief operating officer of the council, said 8,000 people attended the event last year. More people are expected this year.

Cochran said 150 different labor unions will be represented at Laborfest. "I have been told the president wants to talk to working families," Cochran said.

Sure. Obama wants to talk to "working families."

How many "working families" were in the crowd at his very pricey August 16 fundraiser for Tom Barrett?

Working families were shut out of that event.

Obama doesn't care about working families. He cares about holding on to power and keeping the unions in his pocket.

If he really cared about working families, he wouldn't be raising their taxes and destroying jobs. He would be empowering them, not making them dependent on big government and running up historic debt. Obama would be taking steps to get out of the current recession/depression rather than prolonging the misery.
____________________

Again?

Obama is coming to Milwaukee again?

So soon?

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

President Obama is coming back to Milwaukee next Monday for a Labor Day speech, his third visit to southeast Wisconsin in a little over two months.

According to a White House official, the president will talk about the economy at Laborfest, the festival organized by the Milwaukee Area Labor Council. The same event drew Democratic President Bill Clinton during his 1996 re-election campaign.

Wisconsin is a vital state for Democrats and for Obama in a perilous mid-term election cycle. The party is defending the governor's office, Russ Feingold's U.S. Senate seat, both chambers of the state Legislature and at least two U.S. House seats against competitive Republican campaigns.

I think instead of giving a few remarks at Laborfest, Obama should bring the family to Wisconsin and vacation at the Dells.

Photos of Obama at Noah's Ark, slipping and sliding and riding the Scorpion's Tail, would get more press and be more beneficial to the campaigns of the floundering Tom Barrett and Russ Feingold than some dry speech at Laborfest.

BORING!

What's Obama going to say? Is he going to tell the truth?

I'm raising your taxes. Letting the Bush tax cuts expire is bad for the economy. I know it stifles economic growth and investment, but I don't care. More jobs are leaving Wisconsin. Oh, well.

He should definitely go to the Dells. Obama could ride Flash Flood. Maybe not. That might remind Milwaukee flood victims about being denied assistance from FEMA.
_________________

Remember when Obama spoke in Milwaukee on Labor Day 2008?

He gave the crowd a whopping 14-minute speech!

I hope Obama can muster up a little more than that this time.

FEMA: No Individual Aid for Flood Victims

Thank you, Obama, for nothing.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Federal disaster relief officials Tuesday rejected pleas from Milwaukee, Waukesha and Grant counties for assistance to individuals whose homes were damaged in major floods last month.

Flood damage in Milwaukee County alone has been estimated at $50 million.

News of the rejection was delivered in a letter to Gov. Jim Doyle from assistant Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator Elizabeth Zimmerman.

Doyle, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker each criticized the decision, and Doyle promised an appeal.

"I am very disappointed with this letter," Barrett said at a news conference Tuesday night at City Hall. "I'm obviously disappointed and frustrated."

All this disappointent and frustration!

Barrett is disappointed.

What a difference a day makes.

On Monday, when Obama was in Milwaukee fundraising for Barrett, there were no signs of frustration or disappointment, just smiles - the kind that come when raking in mountains of cash.

What would the mood have been if FEMA's announcement came before Obama's visit? That never would have happened. Too awkward. If the decision had already been made, I'm sure they held back the bad news.

If Obama really wanted to help Barrett and help himself, he'd make sure that flood victims in Wisconsin received the federal assistance they deserve.

Spread the wealth around?

How about spreading the aid around?

No FEMA Aid for Milwaukee County Flood Victims

Milwaukee County flood victims, the Obama administration has a message for individuals who suffered damage from the storms: NO FEDERAL AID FOR YOU.

This is a slap in the face to Milwaukee County residents, to taxpayers, to voters.

Obama's FEMA has denied federal aid to flood victims.

That's a disgrace.

Obama and the Democrats demand that WE bail out the irresponsible rich and incompetent state governments. They create a culture of dependency to suit their political purposes and demand that WE pay for the education, health care, and other services of ILLEGAL immigrants, lawbreakers.

Obama's State Department is even funding a trip to the Middle East for Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, the controversial guy behind the controversial effort to build the controversial mosque at Ground Zero.

Absolutely sickening!

But when it comes to tossing some assistance to people whose homes in Milwaukee County were devastated by the torrential rains -- FORGET IT!

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Federal officials Wednesday declared the July 22 flood a major disaster in Milwaukee and Grant counties, making some federal and other money available for local governments recovering from flood damage.

Individuals won't get help from FEMA, Gov. Jim Doyle said in a news release announcing the disaster help. The state did not meet the federal government's threshold for individuals with damage to get help from FEMA, Doyle said.

"I want to thank the Federal Emergency Management Agency for helping Wisconsin communities recover from these damaging floods," Doyle said. "While I am disappointed that the state did not meet the threshold for individual assistance, we will continue to work with affected communities to rebuild from July's severe storms and flooding."

Lori Getter, crisis communications manager for Wisconsin Emergency Management, said she had not seen the letter from FEMA that explained why individuals would not get assistance. She said FEMA officials were searching for first-floor damage, which those officials considered major, and not giving as much weight to basement damage.

State officials were hoping FEMA officials would factor in economic damages for individual homeowners, but whatever was considered did not meet the threshold for the federal examiners, Getter said.

That's ridiculous.

Many people use their basements as living space that is just as valuable as the space on the first-floor. Appliances in their basements impact the entire home. It's idiotic to consider basement damage as being less catastrophic for homeowners.

...Milwaukee County officials estimated more than $50 million in damage from the storm. The local governments will now review costs with FEMA officials and determine which of the costs that local officials claimed are eligible for help.

The federal government will pay 75% of that tab and the state will help with another 12.5%. The local government will be stuck with the balance, Getter said.

Doyle also noted that Wisconsin will not receive federal money for the FoodShare benefits that it provided after the storms. The state Department of Health Services in July provided replacement FoodShare benefits to families with flood damage.

It really angers me that Obama's FEMA is denying Wisconsinites assistance.

When Obama comes to Milwaukee to fundraise for Tom Barrett on August 16 (details here and here), I hope he's met by flood victims. I hope he hears from them that this abandonment will not be forgotten.

Tom Barrett, Cecile Richards, and Jim Doyle

Last night, Tom Barrett wasn't talking to constituents tired from cleaning their sewage-soaked homes. He wasn't pressing FEMA for swift action to assist victims.

Barrett had becoming Wisconsin's next governor on his mind.

Team Tosa Blog notes that Barrett was fundraising, hanging out with the disastrous Gov. Jim Doyle, Wisconsin's version of Jimmy Carter. Barrett also was cozying up to Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA).

Richards tweets about it and provides a photo.

A wonderful evening with Tom Barrett and Governor Doyle!


Tom Barrett, Cecile Richards, and Jim Doyle

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Team Tosa points out:

Tom Barrett has reportedly been at a number of fundraisers with Jim Doyle. At this particular event, held last night, Barrett spent the evening with the governor whose legacy he hopes to continue and the head of an organization which, like Tom Barrett, believes taxpayers should fund abortions.

Obama: Milwaukee Federal Disaster Declaration

UPDATE, August 11, 2010: No FEMA Aid for Milwaukee County for Flood Victims

Thanks, Obama, for nothing!
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People are still reeling from the torrential rain that caused at least $46.5 million in damage in Milwaukee County.

Flooded basements resulted in the loss of appliances, including furnaces and water heaters. Flooded streets and parking lots resulted in vehicles being totaled. The flooding washed away foundations. Some people are likely to lose their homes.

If all that doesn't qualify as a disaster, then what would?

We keep hearing that FEMA is downplaying the damage.

Why?

So Obama can ride in and save the day by making a federal disaster declaration?

So Tom Barrett can claim victory in securing federal funds?

If that kind of political game-playing is happening, it's a disgrace. People who've lost so much and suffered so greatly shouldn't be used as pawns in some sleazy political game.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

The growing list of municipalities looking for help from a state disaster fund would leave little money to help the Milwaukee area if President Barack Obama declines to issue a federal disaster declaration, according to figures detailed Thursday.

At best, the $800,000 put into the Wisconsin Disaster Fund would cover a fraction of the flood damage in Milwaukee County, now estimated to exceed $50 million.

Wisconsin Emergency Management draws money from the fund to help municipalities that are ineligible for federal disaster relief.

Local officials and residents are banking on federal dollars to help repair the homes and public infrastructure washed out in the near-record rains July 22 and 23.

Teams from the Federal Emergency Management Agency are assessing the storm and flood damage in Milwaukee County this week, and Gov. Jim Doyle is expected to request a federal disaster declaration based on their findings.

The damage estimate compiled by Milwaukee County Emergency Management reached $46.5 million on Wednesday. The figure includes flooded homes and businesses and destroyed public properties. A report from Milwaukee Public Schools added an additional $6.5 million to the total.

Local officials say they think the damage has been overwhelming enough for the area to qualify for federal assistance.

...Getter noted that if FEMA does not declare a federal emergency, victims will have trouble getting any government funding for damages.

"Unless there is a federal declaration, there will be few options for individuals," Getter said.

That would include the nearly 9,000 Milwaukee residents who reported water backed up in their basements. In the city, the Department of Neighborhood Services has ordered that four houses be razed immediately and declared that an additional 14 are not fit for habitation.

...With federal assistance weeks - if not months - away, local officials are asking for volunteers to help clean the flood-damaged homes of elderly and disabled individuals in Milwaukee.

In sum, if Obama does decide to make a federal disaster declaration, assistance still would be weeks or months away.

For flood victims, that's agonizingly slow, unacceptably slow.

It seems like a disaster declaration should be a no-brainer. Federal assistance is in order, but I suppose the money has to be rationed. FEMA has the power to deny. Citizens, taxpayers, are powerless.

You're suffering, but will the federal government decide you deserve help and assist you in a timely fashion?

Maybe, maybe not. You're at the mercy of the government.

Yeah, let's have the federal government control health care. Great idea!

Whitefish Bay Residents and Sewage Signs

FOX 6 News offers a photo gallery of signs made by Whitefish Bay residents frustrated with MMSD.

Examples:

Somewhere beyond the sea
There's a turd in the basement
Waiting for me

Thanks MMSD

Deep Tunnel WTF!


 

2 Billion Gallons of Sewage

Millions. Billions.



674 million gallons is an enormous amount.

That massive dump was dwarfed by the 2 BILLION gallons of sewage that was poured into Lake Michgan and local waterways after last week's storm.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

More than 2 billion gallons of untreated sewage and storm water spilled out of urban sewers into local waterways after last Thursday's torrential rain storm, but even those overflows could not adequately relieve the sewers and prevent basement backups, the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District says in a report to state environmental officials.

"The relief points could not get excess rain and flood water out of overburdened sewers fast enough," the district says in a report released Tuesday to the state Department of Natural Resources. Three district rain gauges on Milwaukee's north side recorded total rainfall of more than 8 inches Thursday and Friday.

MMSD estimates total overflows of 2.1 billion gallons - more than four times the total capacity of the district's deep tunnel storage system - from regional sewers between Thursday evening and Sunday evening, said Peter Topczewski, the district's director of water quality protection. The volume does not include overflows from sanitary sewers in Milwaukee and nine other communities in the metropolitan area that had acknowledged problems last week.

Combined sanitary and storm sewers in central Milwaukee and eastern Shorewood spilled a total of 1.985 billion gallons of a sewage and storm water mix to rivers and Lake Michigan, the report says. District-controlled separate sanitary sewers spilled an additional 171 million gallons.

Most of the wastewater in sewers continues to flow to treatment plants during overflows. The district estimates that the deep tunnels and its Jones Island and South Shore sewage treatment plants will have stored and treated more than 3.2 billion gallons of wastewater from Thursday's storm, according to the report.

Even so, local communities reported thousands of sewage backups into residential basements caused by the storm, in addition to property damage from aboveground flooding.

MMSD, you have a problem.

Of course, MMSD isn't hauling sewage-soaked belongings out of homes or dealing with a car that's totaled. But MMSD definitely has a problem.

And Tom Barrett has a problem. During his 2004 campaign for mayor of Milwaukee, Barrett pinned the blame for overflows and the inadequate sewer system on his opponent, Marvin Pratt.

Barrett made it a campaign issue then. He can't wash his hands of the sewage now.

2 BILLION gallons!

FEMA and Milwaukee Flood and Jim Doyle

Governor Jim Doyle, the lamest of ducks, is willing to take the hit for FEMA's slow response to last week's flood in Milwaukee.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

A Federal Emergency Management Agency team will be in Milwaukee on Wednesday to tally damage from last week's flooding, according to the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department.

The FEMA team will visit homes, businesses and public buildings to examine damage from flooding last Thursday and see whether it meets the criteria for a federal flood disaster declaration, the sheriff's department said. Such a declaration would allow federal officials to provide financial assistance for flood victims.

The team will also examine roads, bridges and utilities to see whether local governments can get help in repairing damaged infrastructure, according to the sheriff's department.

The announcement comes a day after local officials said Gov. Jim Doyle's administration was taking too long in seeking federal help for flood victims. County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett were among the local leaders who said the state was holding up the process.

Are we really supposed to believe that Doyle's dawdling is solely responsible for this inexcusably slow federal response to the devastation?

Why would the state "hold up" the process? What would be the point of that?

Do we just blame the incompetence of the Doyle Democrats in Madison for failing to get FEMA to Milwaukee and the federal ball rolling?

Federal officials won't be seeing as many residential streets lined with sewage-soaked belongings at the curb waiting for pick-up. The clean-up has been going on for a week.

Here's Jim Doyle's statement on federal flood assistance:

Governor Jim Doyle today issued the following statement regarding federal assistance following last week’s storms that caused flooding in areas across the state.

“State and local officials have been moving quickly since Thursday evening to respond to the damage caused by a string of severe storms. In that time Wisconsin Emergency Management has been working closely with FEMA and local officials to ensure a speedy response.

“On Friday evening, Milwaukee County submitted a preliminary damage assessment to the state, and continued working through the weekend to complete the damage assessment as quickly as possible. As of tonight the state has received updated damage assessments for Milwaukee and Grant counties, and Wisconsin Emergency Management is completing an application for federal assistance from FEMA. The application will be submitted first thing in the morning and FEMA has already indicated that they will be in Wisconsin early next week.

“I want to thank Milwaukee and Grant counties for their prompt response to this disaster. This is a top priority for everyone involved, and with a lot of people’s hard work the counties’ damage assessments were completed quicker than normal. Emergency Management will update the state’s application as damage assessments from other counties are finalized.”

It's too late for a speedy response from FEMA.

Why wasn't Tom Barrett pressuring Doyle to move more quickly from the beginning?

Federal assistance for flood victims and local governments should be a no-brainer.

Milwaukee: Food Stamps for Flood Victims

Another flood in Milwaukee, another food stamp stampede.

Actually, the 2010 version of food assistance for FLOOD VICTIMS was much more orderly than the 2008 situation.

Then, it was a free-for-all in every sense of the term, drawing thousands of people, resulting in a dangerous and chaotic scene.

The chaos that erupted outside Milwaukee County's main welfare office Monday over disaster-related food aid had more to do with a weak economy and crushing poverty in parts of this community than the devastating floods that swept through the state earlier this month, local government and food relief officials said.

About 3,000 people turned out for the assistance beginning at 3 a.m. Monday, creating a line that stretched several blocks around the Marcia P. Coggs Human Services Center at 1220 W. Vliet St. At least one woman said she was trampled when a crowd rushed the doors as they opened around 7:30 a.m., and dozens of Milwaukee police officers and sheriff's deputies were called to quell the scene.

"The food crisis in Milwaukee and throughout the United States is worse than many of us have realized," said Milwaukee Common Council President Willie Hines, who with other elected officials called on the community to support local food pantries.

"We expect long lines for free food in Third World countries," Hines said. "We don't expect a line of 2,500 people waiting for food vouchers" in Milwaukee. No one was seriously injured, and there were no arrests Monday, but those in line described the scene as chaotic. Many thought they would receive vouchers immediately, and frustration mounted when some learned that was not the case.

"They just went crazy down there, just totally crazy," said Charline Britt of Milwaukee, who said she was trampled when about 200 people surged forward as the doors opened.

"They kicked me in my back, stepped over my shoes," said Britt, who'd come to the center about 4:30 a.m. because her basement flooded in the recent rains.

"I fainted when I got through the door."

In 2008, people showed up for what they believed was a hand-out, free food. The "gimme" mentality and the subsequent unruliness were on display. Police were needed to control the mob. People feared for their lives.

In 2010, the scene was dramatically different. Supposedly, an effort is being made to verify that the people applying for benefits did, in fact, lose food in the flood. And this time, there was no expectation that people would receive benefits immediately.

From WISN:

Hundreds stood in a line that wrapped around the Marcia P. Coggs Human Services Center Monday morning.

The Milwaukee residents came because of the damage caused by Thursday's hard and heavy rain.

...Everyone in line is a current FoodShare member. They waited outside, almost two hours before offices opened to get replacement benefits for food destroyed by the storm.

Milwaukee Police and officers with the sheriff's department were also on hand directing traffic and controlling the crowds.

The Director of Milwaukee Enrollment Services for the state said officials had planned for the large turnout.

"We've actually started working on this about midnight Thursday, understanding that this could happen," said Ed Kamin. "We've had people mobilized here in Milwaukee and in Madison working on this over the weekend."

Obviously, steps were taken to prevent the near riot that occurred in 2008. Milwaukee police and the sheriff's department were there controlling the crowd.

This time, only people already getting food stamps were eligible to apply. This is about replacement benefits for food losses due to the storm.

..."There's no guarantee that you're going to get benefits either because it's a replacement benefit on what you lost due to the flooding," said Kamin.

Due to the volume, Kamin said it could take 10 days before the loss is verified.

A thorough verification process is impossible. Government employees would have to go door-to-door and investigate to find out if people actually lost food due to the flood. That's definitely not going to happen.

Bottom line: Some people genuinely need assistance. Others are committing fraud and need to get a conscience.

Some people are truly hurting. Others are just jerks.

What I don't understand is why there isn't better communication. There was no need for people to stand in line at all.

There's also no need to stand in line. FoodShares members should call 888-947-6583 or visit https://access.wisconsin.gov/.

Why spend hours standing in line when it's totally unnecessary?

Flood: Journal Sentinel Spins for Barrett, Slams Walker

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel once again is campaigning for Tom Barrett and slamming Scott Walker. The bias really is laughable.

The Journal Sentinel has a problem with the way Walker spent his Saturday following the torrential rains earlier in the week that caused so much damage in Milwaukee and throughout the county.

Under the headline "Walker chided for campaign swing amid storm aftermath," Lee Bergquist writes:

Scott Walker and Tom Barrett spent their weekends in markedly different ways as the Milwaukee area recovered from torrential rains and flood damage.

Over the weekend, Milwaukee County Executive Walker, a Republican, made campaign stops in Eau Claire, Wausau, Green Bay and Pulaski.

Milwaukee Mayor Barrett, a Democrat, canceled campaign appearances on Saturday and instead spent several hours touring five areas that were damaged by the flood, according to Jodie Tabak, the mayor's spokeswoman.

Barrett didn't campaign on Sunday but got updates from city officials during the day, a spokesman for his campaign said.

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin is making election fodder of Walker's weekend electioneering in the wake of Thursday's rain, which caused an estimated $28.5 million in damage.

Mike Tate, Democratic Party chairman, criticized Walker, saying that the county executive should have been back home instead of politicking, noting Walker had significant responsibilities overseeing the airport and county parks system, among other duties.

"It's irresponsible," Tate said.

"One man stood up and led, Tom Barrett," while Walker spent the weekend on the campaign trail, Tate said.

Walker called Tate's assertions "absolutely ridiculous."

Walker said he monitored conditions Thursday night and stayed in contact with his administrators. That same night, Barrett met with administrators and held a press conference with other city officials as streets were awash with flooding.

On Friday, Walker toured flood-damaged areas and held a briefing at noon at Bradford Beach. He signed documents declaring Milwaukee County a disaster area and forwarded the request to Gov. Jim Doyle. He also met with officials from Milwaukee County Parks and Mitchell International Airport, two major county-run operations, and other departments during the day.

Who is chiding Walker?

The Democrats and Barrett hacks are, not citizens.

Miwaukee County residents know that Walker was and is on top of the situation.

Clearly, the Journal Sentinel is staying true to form and unfairly jumping all over Walker, creating a story to do Barrett's bidding.

The online version of the JS even links to a Democratic Party of Wisconsin video declaring Barrett to be concerned about his constituents and accusing Walker of only caring about advancing his political career.



This is so lame.

Did the Dems pay the JS for running their ad?

I assume that the JS considers the Dems' angle to be news, which is, of course, ridiculous. It's spin.

Barrett was campaigning on Saturday. Meeting with flood victims while the cameras followed him around was exploitation, pure and simple. Barrett used the people as props for that lame video. It was an "I feel your pain" photo-op.

Remember when the floods of 2008 hit Wisconsin, when Lake Delton literally disappeared?

Jim Doyle was at a Democrat political event playing golf less than 24 hours after that disaster.

In the midst of the crisis, the governor of the state, Wisconsin's chief executive, was at a fundraiser.



Did the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel have a problem with that?

Are you kidding?

To the contrary, the JS did damage control for Doyle.

Gov. Jim Doyle spent part of Tuesday at his annual campaign golf outing, while also coordinating state government efforts to fight flooding and get federal aid to help pay for damage.

Doyle spokesman Lee Sensenbrenner said Wednesday that the governor attended part of his campaign's sixth annual golf outing at University Ridge Golf Course in Verona, which had a suggested contribution of $1,250 per golfer.

Sensenbrenner said no response to the flooding was hampered by Doyle's stop to visit his campaign supporters, because the governor talked frequently with National Guard officers, representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and cabinet secretaries, including Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank.

Doyle was given a pass.

He spent a mere "part of Tuesday" raking in money to fill his campaign coffers.

And although he was at the golf course, Doyle was multi-tasking. As he collected cash, he was simultaneously "coordinating state government efforts to fight flooding and get federal aid to help pay for damage."

The Journal Sentinel didn't do a story about anyone chiding Doyle for fundraising as floods were ravaging the state.

Double standard?

Absolutely.

Escalade in Sinkhole - Video

The Escalade that was swallowed by the giant sinkhole at Oakland and North in Milwaukee was still running 24 hours later.

It finally ran out of gas late on Friday.

Thankfully, the driver, the only person inside, is OK after being rescued by Mark Pawlik.

Video.

There's so much damage. People have lost so much. It's a disaster.

The foundations to some homes gave way in Thursday's storm.

 

It's awful.

Shorewood Flood - Video