MENASHA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Community partners are announcing a coordinated disaster recovery effort to help residents affected by recent severe weather.
Over the past year, some residents in the Fox Valley were hit with flooding in the spring and a tornado in July.
“Families lost homes, belongings, and their sense of security,” said committee director Christina Muller. “The flood water has receded and the streets have been cleared but recovery is a long process and is only beginning.”
Emergency management, nonprofit and faith-based partners held a news conference Thursday to talk about their new initiative to help.
The group was formed with the three emergency management teams and about 50 local non-profits. Its focused on bringing support to families that were impacted by the spring flooding and July tornado that hit the Fox Valley area.
“Two presidential declared disasters back-to-back in Wisconsin, that is very unusual,” Muller explained. “But also in the same region. So the partners that you see behind me here, they cover both of these areas. And if we’re asking them to go to multiple meetings, we’re misusing their time. So therefore we’re having them all come together in the same spot.”
The funding to address needs is being done by each organization individually. Asking who can help with a roof, downed trees, or even emotional and spiritual care.
The committee will have a dedicated spot at the Disaster Relief Center on the former UWO Fox Cities campus.
“We do have long term recovery representatives here at the disaster recovery center, so you can come in and talk with them directly if you need assistance,” FEMA External Affairs Specialist Cathy Bachhuber said.
FEMA has met with over 250 people regarding aid since the center opened and it won’t stop anytime soon.
“We don’t have a closing date for this center yet,” she continued. “So folks are still coming in, we still have really good foot traffic so that is to be determined. Everybody is encouraged to register up until December 7th. Even if we’re not physically here you can call the 1-800 number or register on disasterassistance.gov.”
The committee has an unmet needs form that those impacted by the floods and tornado can fill out.
