If you or someone you know has been affected by some of the floods in your area, there are a few things that you can do to get help or help others in need.
Most importantly, stay safe and if you can, help those in need, especially the elderly and disabled who may be in need of extra help. If you need help with lodging assistance, water, ice flood clean up kits or emergency food, you can go to Love, Inc. located on Pine Street in Burlington. They are also partnering with the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army to help people at this time.
If you’ve sustained damage, it will be important to document your losses, taking pictures or video, and estimating the total cost of these losses and report this information to your insurance company and the county emergency management hotlines in your area. This information will be needed for counties who may be trying to get state and federal disaster relief funds. Unfortunately, in many circumstances, you may learn that you do not have insurance coverage for damage caused by floods, unless you have a sewer back-up rider on your homeowner’s insurance policy or you purchased flood insurance. Although there may be state and federal funds that will become available for people who have sustained damage, these funds will not likely become available for a while and will not cover all of your losses.
Our Call 4 Action Office will also be available for people to call or email with questions or to get help with resources, mediation, and education of issues related to the flood or other concerns.
If you want to help people in need, the best way to help at this time is by donating money to Love, Inc., requesting that your donation be used for flood relief, or donate to the American Red Cross or Salvation Army.
Although Love, Inc. will eventually welcome donations of clothing, furniture and appliances that are in working and in good condition, they will not be able to receive these until next week. Their warehouses were also damaged and it will take time for them to get up and running again.
When a crisis such as a big flood happens in a community, it is amazing to see how many good people come out to help. But unfortunately it can also bring out the scammers. Watch out for fake phone calls, emails and websites that pose as a charity or government agency trying to get you to give personal information or money. Check things out at a number or address that you know is legitimate. And never wire funds to receive a grant or money. Also watch out fro unscrupulous contractors who show up unannounced offering to help you on the spot, if you pay cash.
Get referrals from people you know, check out contractors before you pay or allow work to be done, and get a written detailed contract.
Here is how you can get help or give help for flood-related issues:
Love, Inc. – Burlington, WI – 262-763-6226 website
American Red Cross – 1- 800-236-8680 website
Salvation Army 1-262-342-0005 website
Kenosha County Emergency Management Office - 262-605-7924 or e-mail to disaster@kenoshacty.org
Racine County – Reporting damage/getting help – call 211
Walworth County Emergency Management Office – 262-741-7700
