Milwaukee City Wire

After record rainfall and flooding hit Milwaukee on August 9 and 10, Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) is continuing to assess the impact on its buildings. According to initial reports from the district, most MPS buildings did not experience significant water issues. However, a limited number of sites have been identified with water problems.

Crews from the MPS Department of Facilities and Maintenance Services are working to remove water and dry affected spaces. The district states that once this work is complete, experts will be able to determine if there are any long-term impacts, including those that could affect building openings for the new school year or ongoing lead stabilization efforts in older elementary school buildings.

"The focus remains on preparing buildings for the first day of school, Tuesday, September 2, and meeting the district’s lead-stabilization goals. The community’s continued patience is appreciated as district staff work through any new water issues alongside these critical and long-range areas of focus," an MPS spokesperson said.

The district has also shared safety advice from public officials: "Keep children away from floodwater—it likely is contaminated, and rushing waters in area creeks and rivers are extremely dangerous. Local rivers crested at historic levels over the weekend."

Residents are reminded to call 911 in emergencies or 211 to report property damage such as flooded basements or collapsed walls.