That figure is not a current count for August 14, 2026, and it does not mean thousands of homes still contain standing water. Open cases can represent unresolved or continuing needs, including repairs, damaged furnaces and water heaters, recurring mold, documentation of losses, assistance appeals and insurance navigation.

What remains from the August 2025 flood

Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service reported that community groups, volunteers and government partners had moved from emergency response into long-term recovery. Work included basement cleanup, mold remediation, electrical repairs and rebuilding assistance.

The reporting also described damage that may not be obvious from outside a home. Some residents were still dealing with a lack of hot water, damaged electrical systems or unsafe temporary heating arrangements months after floodwaters receded.

Residents with August 2025 losses should check the status of individual claims, appeals, insurance disputes and nonprofit assistance rather than assume every recovery program remains open. The City of Milwaukee says the general FEMA application deadline for that disaster was November 12, 2025. A late application may still be considered when a documented extenuating circumstance prevented a timely application. FEMA says appeals generally must be filed within 60 days of the date on the decision letter.

The city’s FAQ also lists some other August 2025 programs with deadlines that have passed, so residents should confirm current availability before relying on them.

April 2026 storms are a separate disaster

The city’s current storm-recovery page concerns a separate round of severe storms and flooding in April 2026. FEMA has approved Individual Assistance for eligible residents in affected Wisconsin counties, with an application deadline of August 31, 2026.

Residents affected by those April storms can apply through FEMA or call the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362. Eligibility depends on the disaster declaration, the affected location and FEMA requirements. FEMA assistance also cannot cover needs already paid by insurance or another source, although residents may still qualify for unreimbursed losses.

How to report damage or ask about permits

Residents can report basement flooding to the City of Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services at 414-286-2268. Structural or foundation failures, including partial or total collapse caused by flooding, should be reported to the city’s condemnation team at 414-286-2795. The city advises residents to keep away from severely damaged areas and consider leaving a home with extensive foundation damage until a licensed professional approves a return.

Flood repairs may require permits. Residents or contractors who are unsure whether a project needs one can call the Permit and Development Center at 414-286-8210.

The city advises residents to verify that contractors have the applicable Wisconsin and City of Milwaukee licenses before hiring them. Written cost and timeline details, multiple estimates, insurance information and references can help reduce the risk of additional problems.

Mitigation planning has started, but projects are not approved

Milwaukee County, the City of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District have begun work through a Flood Mitigation Task Force focused on current and future storm safety. The announcement documenting the effort says the group is examining flood-prevention needs, including work connected to the Kinnickinnic River area, and expects to produce recommendations later in 2026.

The task force announcement was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee staff reporter. It documents a planning and recommendation effort, not a completed construction program. It does not establish that a specific project has been funded, approved or scheduled.

For Milwaukee households, the immediate priorities are documenting damage, addressing hidden moisture and safety problems, checking available assistance and reporting dangerous structural conditions. The approaching anniversary of the August 2025 flood is a reminder that recovery can continue long after streets and basements appear dry.

Sources

• City of Milwaukee: Storm and Flood Recovery
• Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service: Months after historic flood, many in Milwaukee are still recovering
• Milwaukee County Executive announcement: Flood Mitigation Task Force

The Washington State Department of Commerce published the final notice for the “Sumas Single-Family Elevation” activity on July 27, 2026. The final notice period ran from July 27 through Aug. 3. An early notice for the activity was published July 15, with an early notice period running through July 30.

A step toward flood mitigation

The activity is being administered through Washington’s Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery program, known as CDBG-DR. The program uses federal U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development disaster-recovery funding administered by Washington Commerce.

Commerce describes CDBG-DR funding as support for long-term disaster recovery and mitigation of future hazards. In Sumas, the notices connect the activity to the severe atmospheric-river flooding that struck Washington in 2021. The city also experienced additional severe flooding during the December 2025 winter storm, prompting local and state recovery assistance.

Elevating homes can reduce the risk of repeated flood damage, but the environmental-review notices mark a review step rather than a construction start or final construction authorization. The notices do not identify how many homes will ultimately be selected, the amount awarded per household, the participating property owners or a construction start date.

Recovery assistance continues

The December 2025 flooding affected households and businesses in Sumas and elsewhere in Whatcom County. The Washington governor’s office announced $2.5 million in state disaster assistance for people whose homes were damaged by the flooding. The assistance includes household grants for short-term housing, small home repairs and food replacement, and Whatcom County was identified as eligible.

The City of Sumas has also created a utility-relief fund for residents and businesses affected by the December 2025 winter-storm flood. The city continues to post recovery-related notices and lists an Aug. 10, 2026, City Council meeting.

The home-elevation review is therefore part of a broader recovery effort: immediate assistance for flood-affected households and businesses alongside longer-term work intended to limit damage from future flooding. The next publicly identified date tied to the city’s ongoing recovery notices is the Aug. 10 council meeting.

The flooding began Tuesday evening, July 28, and continued into Wednesday morning, July 29. During the flash-flood emergency, officials issued a shelter-in-place order and urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel because road conditions were dangerous.

Recovery work is now focused on cleanup, debris removal and continuing relief efforts. The West Virginia National Guard has extended its debris-removal mission in Upshur County as local officials work through the damage.

Emergency response gives way to cleanup

The National Weather Service issued a flash-flood emergency covering Buckhannon and surrounding areas of Upshur County as the flooding developed. Buckhannon, the county seat, was included in emergency and recovery notices, but the response and cleanup effort covers the county as a whole.

Once the immediate emergency passed, the City of Buckhannon and Upshur County officials described the situation as a transition to long-term recovery. That shift means the community is continuing beyond the initial warnings and emergency operations to address damaged property, affected roads and the large-scale cleanup left behind by the flooding.

The extended National Guard mission provides continued support for debris removal while county and city crews, residents and businesses deal with the aftermath. The work is part of a sustained recovery effort rather than a return to normal operations immediately after the flood.

Residents urged to follow updates

Officials have directed residents to rely on updates from local government and news organizations for current recovery information. Conditions can change as cleanup continues, particularly around roads, properties and areas where debris-removal operations are active.

Residents and businesses facing cleanup or access problems should continue monitoring those local notices and follow any instructions related to travel and safety. The earlier shelter-in-place order and travel warnings reflected the danger during the flooding; the ongoing recovery effort reflects the continuing effects after the water receded.

For Buckhannon and the rest of Upshur County, the immediate crisis has ended, but recovery remains an active local priority. Continued debris removal and coordination among county officials, city officials and the National Guard will shape the next stage of the response.

The developments followed a June 18 parish report that said some areas received as much as 9 inches of rain. The storm left some roads impassable and prompted the parish to close parks, spray parks, summer camps and its summer feeding program during the immediate response.

Flooding affected parish services and roads

Residents who had water inside their homes were directed to report flooding to the St. Charles Parish Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness through the parish emergency operations center. The reporting instruction was part of the parish’s response as officials assessed conditions after the storm.

The June 18 notice described impacts across St. Charles Parish, including rainfall totals and road conditions. It did not establish that all of the reported flooding occurred in Hahnville. Hahnville is the parish seat, and the parish’s official address is 15045 River Road in Hahnville.

Drainage matters came before the council

The July 13 St. Charles Parish Council report focused on drainage and flood recovery. Among the matters listed were flooding on St. Rose Avenue and ditch cleaning or filling at 177 Smith Street in Hahnville.

Those issues matter locally because drainage decisions can affect road access, property risk, ditch maintenance and future parish infrastructure priorities. The council matters also connected the immediate storm response with longer-running questions about how water moves through roads and neighborhoods.

The July 13 report marked an ongoing update rather than a completed recovery program. The council report does not identify a final cost or a completion schedule for all drainage-recovery work. It also does not establish that the ditch work at 177 Smith Street or any other listed drainage project has been completed.

For Hahnville residents, the documented next step was continued parish and council attention to flooding and drainage matters after the storm. The specific work and timing for individual locations remained to be determined in later parish action.

The setback was discussed at a Cherokee City Council meeting on July 7, after city officials reviewed 18 active FEMA projects with a FEMA representative during the preceding week. The review covered projects connected to Cherokee’s flood recovery efforts.

Why FEMA changed the timeline

FEMA leadership determined that relocation projects had to meet three criteria. The criterion at issue for Cherokee was repetitive damage.

According to the explanation presented to city officials, the wastewater treatment plant did not meet that standard because the flooding was the facility’s first recorded damage under the rule being applied. As a result, the relocation plan cannot move forward on its previous timeline and is now delayed by at least a year.

The plant was damaged during flooding, making its future location part of the city’s broader recovery and infrastructure planning. Moving the facility would be intended to address the long-term vulnerability of a critical municipal utility, but the FEMA eligibility determination has interrupted that plan.

Separate buyout effort remains part of flood recovery

The plant decision comes as Cherokee also works on a separate proposal involving flood-damaged property. Earlier in May, the City Council voted to apply for an Iowa Economic Development Authority disaster-recovery grant to help fund buyouts of 26 properties damaged in the 2024 floods.

That buyout application concerns individual properties, while the wastewater plant relocation involves critical city infrastructure. Together, the efforts show the different parts of Cherokee’s continuing response to flood damage: reducing exposure at affected properties and determining how to address damage to a major public utility.

The FEMA review involved 18 active projects, so the plant’s eligibility issue was considered alongside other Cherokee recovery work. The repetitive-damage determination specifically affects the relocation plan for the wastewater treatment facility.

The immediate result is a delay of at least one year for the proposed relocation. The city’s next long-term path for the plant will depend on how officials address the FEMA eligibility issue and continue planning for flood-damaged infrastructure.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency also awarded the city an additional $3.5 million for cleanup and repairs. Together, the awards support both the removal of some flood-damaged properties and continued work at other sites as Rock Valley rebuilds.

The buyout plan changed after the flood

Rock Valley City Manager Tom Van Maanen said the city initially requested funding for the buyout program in December 2024. The original plan covered 147 properties, but the number later changed after some property owners rebuilt their homes or sold them.

The FEMA award now covers 104 homes. The program gives affected homeowners a path to leave properties damaged by the flood while allowing the city to address sites that remain part of the recovery effort.

The award is tied to homes affected by the 2024 flooding and does not mean that every property included in the original 147-property plan will be bought out. The current funding is for the 104-home effort identified in the award.

Paperwork must come before demolition

Van Maanen said the city expected to complete the required paperwork over the following weeks. Demolition could begin after those steps are finished.

That timeline means the funding decision is in place, but work on individual properties still has to move through the buyout process. The award is not described as an immediate payment or immediate demolition of all 104 homes.

For homeowners who have been unable to move forward since the flood, Van Maanen described the award as long-awaited relief. A buyout can provide an alternative to continuing to repair or live with a flood-damaged property, although the implementation process must be completed before demolition starts.

Funding covers broader recovery work

The separate $3.5 million award for cleanup and repairs gives Rock Valley additional federal support beyond the home-buyout program. Combined with the $22 million buyout award, the reported federal recovery funding exceeds $25 million.

Rock Valley’s recovery follows flooding that caused extensive damage in 2024. The new funding supports two parts of that response: removing some damaged homes through buyouts and paying for cleanup or repairs elsewhere in the community.

The city’s next known step is completing the paperwork required for the buyout effort. Demolition is expected only after that work is done.

The award, reported July 9, 2026, is connected to FEMA Disaster 4796. It is intended to help the city recover from the disaster while reducing the potential for future damage in areas affected by flooding.

Funding targets flood-damaged properties

The June 2024 disaster included severe storms, flooding, straight-line winds and tornadoes across the region. The FEMA money will support property acquisitions related to that event rather than mandatory removals.

Participation in the buyout program is voluntary. For owners of eligible flood-damaged properties, the program could provide an option to leave locations affected by the disaster while allowing the city to pursue a lower-risk pattern of future land use.

A related recovery account referenced more than 247 flood-damaged properties in connection with the disaster. That figure describes the broader recovery context and is not a count of approved buyouts.

FEMA’s award information does not identify which addresses will be acquired, how many owners have accepted buyout offers or when property closings will occur. The information also does not state the precise division between federal funding and any local or state matching funds.

City has participated in recovery applications

Hawarden’s local government has been involved in seeking flood-recovery assistance. City agenda materials dated May 13, 2026, show the Hawarden Economic Development Authority’s application activity for CDBG-DR Flood ’24 funding.

The FEMA award is part of a broader round of disaster-recovery assistance for Northwest Iowa communities. Regional reporting identified Hawarden among the communities receiving FEMA funds for recovery work.

What happens next

The city’s work will include identifying properties that meet program requirements, communicating with interested owners and completing any approved acquisitions. Because the program is voluntary, the number of properties ultimately acquired will depend on eligible owners who choose to participate and on the acquisition process.

For residents whose homes or other properties were damaged, the funding creates a potential recovery option beyond repairing a structure in place. For Hawarden, acquiring eligible properties can support the city’s stated mitigation goal by reducing the number of repeatedly vulnerable properties exposed to future flooding.

The nearly $1 million award does not establish that every property affected in June 2024 will be included. It gives Hawarden federal assistance to begin or advance a buyout effort tied to the disaster and to incorporate future flood-risk reduction into the recovery process.

Alaska expanded Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s disaster declaration for the 2026 spring floods on May 21, adding areas affected by flooding to the state’s recovery-assistance framework.

The expansion is the latest step in a state response that began with Dunleavy’s original declaration on May 11. The Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has also opened state individual-assistance registration and published information intended to guide residents through the recovery process.

For Alaskans whose communities or property were affected, the declaration matters because it helps determine which residents and communities may qualify for state disaster assistance. Eligibility is not automatic for every flood victim; it depends on the covered areas and the rules of the applicable assistance program.

What the state has announced

The state emergency-management agency’s press-release archive identifies the event as the 2026 spring-flood disaster and records four key dates in the response.

Dunleavy issued the original disaster declaration on May 11, 2026. The state published individual-assistance registration information on May 13. On May 14, the agency released a spring-flood fact sheet. The declaration was then expanded on May 21 to include additional affected areas.

The May 21 action is a statewide emergency-management development, but the approved state record does not provide the complete list of newly added areas. That means residents must rely on the state’s current coverage information to determine whether their community falls within the expanded declaration.

Why the expansion matters

A disaster declaration creates the framework for organizing state recovery assistance after damage from an event such as spring flooding. Expanding the declaration can bring additional affected areas into that framework, potentially allowing eligible residents and communities in those areas to be considered for assistance under state program rules.

That distinction is important. The declaration does not establish that every person affected by flooding will receive aid, and the available records do not document the amount of assistance available, the number of registrations received or the extent of remaining damage.

The state’s individual-assistance registration information gives affected residents a way to begin creating a recovery record. The fact sheet provides another official source of information about the spring-flood response. Together, those materials indicate that recovery work is continuing rather than complete.

What residents should watch for

Residents affected by the 2026 spring floods should verify whether their area is included in the expanded declaration and review the state’s registration information and fact sheet. The coverage determination is significant because assistance eligibility depends on the declaration and program requirements.

The approved records do not state a current registration deadline. They also do not identify the additional areas added on May 21. Those details remain important next steps for residents trying to determine whether they can seek state assistance.

Alaska’s official announcement archive remains the primary recovery-assistance record identified in the approved materials. A separate State of Alaska newsroom archive shows continuing statewide announcements and emergency-response information through July 13, 2026, but the approved packet does not provide a later update that resolves the coverage list or deadline questions.

No federal assistance is identified in the approved records, and there is no basis in the packet to conclude that flood recovery is complete. For now, the confirmed development is the state’s May 21 expansion and the continued availability of state registration and recovery information for the 2026 spring-flood response.

The update means cleanup remains underway for residents and commuters in the affected communities. Jefferson County Road and Bridge crews have cleared sediment from roads and culverts, but the county said roadside-debris removal will likely take several weeks.

The county also expects infrastructure strengthening to guard against future floods to take several months. That longer timeline distinguishes immediate cleanup from subsequent work intended to improve infrastructure.

County crews cleared sediment after flooding

Jefferson County described the recovery work in a notice published July 1, 2026. The notice said heavy rain on June 24 affected Evergreen and Kittredge and that Road and Bridge crews worked through the weekend to clear sediment from culverts and roads.

Those efforts addressed material left in transportation and drainage infrastructure, but they did not mark the end of the recovery. The county’s estimate of several weeks for roadside-debris cleanup indicates that work will continue beyond the initial clearing operation.

The county did not provide a total damage estimate, a funding total or a complete list of damaged properties in the approved notice. The materials also do not establish the extent of damage on every road in Evergreen.

Pioneer Trail work set for July 27-28

A separate Jefferson County road-closure alert published July 23, 2026, schedules temporary work on part of Pioneer Trail along Evergreen Parkway for July 27 and 28. Crews plan to remove damaged concrete and install temporary road base during that work.

For people who use that section of Pioneer Trail, the alert provides the next specific road-work dates in the county’s notices. The approved materials do not establish that the Pioneer Trail project is part of the June 24 flood-recovery effort, so the two notices should not be treated as one confirmed project.

Longer-term work remains undefined

Jefferson County’s notices describe ongoing recovery rather than a completed response. They provide broad timelines—several weeks for roadside-debris cleanup and several months for infrastructure strengthening—but do not include a future construction schedule or cost for that longer-term work.

The approved information also includes no resident-loss estimate and no federal or state disaster declaration. Further details about total damage, funding, affected properties and future infrastructure work were not included in the county materials reviewed for this report.

The lawsuit was filed June 30, 2026. Salem alleges that the grant conditions amount to unlawful federal overreach.

Challenge centers on grant conditions

The case concerns federal funding intended to help repair damage caused by Salem’s 2025 winter flood. Salem is challenging conditions attached to those grants, according to the available reporting.

The approved source material does not identify the particular conditions the city is contesting. It also does not state the amount of grant funding involved or identify the specific repairs covered by the grants.

The suit names FEMA and DHS as defendants. The City of Salem is the party that filed the case.

Allegation is not a court finding

Salem’s assertion that the conditions are unlawful is an allegation in its lawsuit, not a court finding. The filing itself does not establish that the challenged conditions are unlawful or that Salem will prevail.

The dispute places the city’s flood-recovery funding and the requirements connected to that funding at issue. The outcome could affect Salem’s access to disaster-recovery funds and the conditions imposed on local governments that receive them.

That potential effect remains contingent on how the case is resolved. The available reporting does not establish that funding has been denied, changed or delayed.

What comes next

No later court ruling, settlement or federal response had been identified by Aug. 2, 2026, based on the available source material. No next court date or deadline was identified.

As a result, the known status is limited: Salem has filed its challenge, while the legal validity of the federal grant conditions remains unresolved. Further court action or responses from the named federal agencies were not included in the approved reporting.

The request seeks federal assistance for flood recovery. It was a request for a presidential declaration, not a confirmed federal approval. The reviewed state information did not report whether the declaration had been approved by Aug. 2.

West Virginia’s request followed several state actions taken as severe weather and flooding prompted preparedness, response and recovery efforts.

Preparedness order covered all 55 counties

On July 21, Morrisey declared a statewide state of preparedness for all 55 West Virginia counties ahead of severe weather systems.

That statewide preparedness order established that all counties were included in the state’s advance emergency action. It does not establish that flooding caused damage in every county.

The July 25 disaster-declaration request concerned flooding across West Virginia. State materials describe it as following ongoing flood-recovery efforts, rather than as the beginning of the state response.

Recovery updates preceded federal request

State announcements issued July 23 and July 24 described continued flood-recovery efforts. The governor’s office also reported flood-response and recovery actions involving state officials and the West Virginia National Guard.

Together, the announcements document a sequence of state action: a statewide preparedness declaration on July 21, recovery and response updates on July 23 and July 24, and the governor’s July 25 request for expedited federal disaster action.

The federal request is significant because it is the next major documented government step after the state’s response and recovery activity. But the available state information does not provide a final statewide damage estimate or a number of residents affected by the flooding.

Those missing details limit what can be concluded about the final scope of damage. The state’s materials confirm flooding across West Virginia and the government response, but do not provide a complete statewide accounting of losses or affected people.

Federal decision remains pending in reviewed information

No federal decision date was provided in the reviewed state pages. As of Aug. 2, those pages did not state whether federal officials had approved Morrisey’s request.

For now, the confirmed development is the governor’s July 25 request for an expedited presidential major-disaster declaration. Any federal authorization would be a separate step that was not reported in the reviewed material.

Separate statewide election notice

In another statewide government development during the same period, Secretary of State Kris Warner issued a public notice on July 23 concerning a proposed state constitutional amendment scheduled to appear on the Nov. 3, 2026, general-election ballot.

That public notice is separate from the flooding and the disaster-declaration request. It does not alter the status of the flood response or establish an outcome for the governor’s federal request.

The next known step in the flood matter is a federal determination on the requested major-disaster declaration. The reviewed state sources did not provide a deadline for that decision.

Flood-affected SNAP recipients now have until Aug. 18, 2026, to apply for replacement benefits, according to the Texas governor’s flood-recovery information page. The extension does not mean benefits are issued automatically: recipients must apply, and eligibility remains subject to the applicable agency process.

The actions were listed in the state’s July 24 flood-recovery update as catastrophic flooding continued to affect communities across Texas. The update also said the state requested additional federal disaster assistance for Real County.

SNAP deadline applies to lost or destroyed food

The replacement-benefit extension is directed at SNAP recipients whose food was lost or destroyed because of the flooding. Aug. 18 is the application deadline identified by the state, rather than a deadline for automatic payment.

SNAP is administered in Texas through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. The governor’s office identified the deadline as one of the recovery actions available to people affected by the disaster.

The state’s July 24 page did not specify a statewide number of people who may seek replacement benefits, the amount of benefits that may be replaced, or the number of applications expected. It also did not provide a statewide final damage estimate or confirmed final death toll.

Four counties added in July 23 declaration update

On July 23, Texas added Edwards, Kinney, Real and Schleicher counties to a state disaster declaration action. The four additions brought the total covered by that action to 30 counties, the governor’s office said.

That county total should not be treated as a final count for every state or federal disaster action connected to the flooding. The state said further counties could be added as recovery continued, and the July 24 material does not establish the final number of counties covered by all declarations.

Federal assistance eligibility also is not statewide by default. Texas specifically requested additional federal assistance for Real County in the July 24 update; the available material does not say that every Texas county was eligible for federal aid.

Response had already mobilized more than 1,300 personnel

The new recovery actions follow a large state response described in a July 15 briefing by the governor’s office. At that time, more than 1,300 state personnel from more than 30 agencies had been activated for the flooding response.

That earlier update also reported the deployment of more than 800 vehicles, more than 75 boats and 20 aircraft. The resources were part of emergency operations responding to statewide flood impacts, according to the governor’s office.

The July 15 briefing said the state had declared disasters in 59 counties at that point. That figure is from the earlier briefing and is distinct from the July 23 declaration action that listed 30 counties after the addition of Edwards, Kinney, Real and Schleicher counties. The available state material does not explain whether the two totals refer to the same declaration, different declaration actions, or different stages of the response.

What comes next

For households seeking SNAP replacement benefits, the next stated deadline is Aug. 18. Residents affected by flooding who believe they qualify must submit an application; the extension alone is not a determination that benefits will be replaced.

For disaster assistance, Texas has made an additional federal request for Real County while continuing recovery work. The governor’s office said more counties could be added as recovery continues, but the available information does not identify a final statewide coverage total, a final damage estimate or a final death toll.

The update followed two actions recorded by the state on July 20: a state of emergency declaration for Barbour County and a request for an expedited federal major-disaster declaration after flooding described by the state as occurring across West Virginia.

The available official information confirms that recovery was continuing. It does not provide a statewide damage total, a count of affected residents or damaged structures, or a final recovery cost.

July actions established the response timeline

Morrisey’s July 20 state of emergency declaration specifically applied to Barbour County. The state’s official news archive also records the governor’s request for expedited federal disaster assistance in connection with the flooding.

Those actions should not be treated as the same thing. The Barbour County action was a state emergency declaration. The separate major-disaster action was a request for federal assistance.

The state information available for this report does not establish that the requested federal major-disaster declaration had been approved by July 27. It also does not give a decision date, a response timetable or a deadline for action on the request.

That distinction is important as recovery continues. A request is a documented step by the state; it is not confirmation that the requested federal declaration has been granted.

What the recovery update confirms

The July 27 announcement establishes that the response remained underway one week after the July 20 emergency declaration and federal-aid request. The state archive places the recovery update alongside the earlier emergency and disaster-assistance actions.

However, the available listing does not identify particular recovery projects, describe work in individual communities, or provide county-by-county conditions. It also does not specify which residents, businesses, roads, public facilities or other property may have been affected.

The state described the flooding as occurring across West Virginia, but the available material does not support a conclusion that every county experienced flooding of equal severity. Barbour County is the county specifically named in the July 20 emergency declaration contained in the available record.

What remains unknown

No statewide estimate of flood damage is included in the available state listing. The record also does not state how many people were affected, how many structures were damaged, or what the final cost of recovery may be.

Likewise, no potential federal reimbursement amount is identified. The available information does not set out assistance eligibility, describe how people could apply for aid, or provide a schedule for any federal decision.

As a result, the public record available here supports a limited but clear timeline: severe flooding prompted state action and a federal disaster request on July 20, and the governor reported continued recovery progress on July 27.

Next known development

The next significant documented step would be a federal determination on the state’s request, if one is issued, or further state recovery updates. Neither a determination nor a timetable for one is provided in the available state material.

For now, the confirmed facts are that West Virginia declared an emergency for Barbour County, sought expedited federal disaster assistance after severe flooding, and continued its recovery effort as of July 27. The scope of the damage and the status of any federal approval were not established by the available listing.

The Montpelier allocation is part of more than $20 million in FEMA funding announced for Vermont flood recovery on May 13. The reported funding would support eligible permanent repair work and upgrades intended to reduce damage from future flooding.

Municipal facilities included

The identified Montpelier projects include core city facilities affected by the 2023 disaster: City Hall and the buildings used by the city’s fire and police departments. Sidewalks and ramps are also included in the eligible work.

The announcement describes the funding as supporting permanent repairs rather than only temporary recovery measures. It also identifies flood-resilience upgrades as part of the planned work, though the reports do not specify the particular upgrades for each building or site.

More than $20 million was announced statewide, while nearly $12 million of that amount was identified for Montpelier. The local share is therefore part of a broader Vermont recovery package, not a separate funding announcement for the city alone.

Recovery from the 2023 flooding

The funding follows the July 2023 flood disaster, which damaged the municipal buildings and public infrastructure named in the announcement. The May funding development comes nearly three years after that flooding, as Montpelier’s recovery continues.

For the city, the announced allocation is tied specifically to repairs of public facilities and pedestrian infrastructure. The package is distinct from other reported recovery proposals, including a separate near-$200 million proposal concerning the state Capitol Complex; that proposal should not be counted as part of Montpelier’s nearly $12 million allocation.

What has not been established

The reports establish that FEMA funding was announced and that the listed Montpelier work is eligible for support. They do not establish that all repairs are fully funded, that money has already been disbursed, or that construction is underway.

No final construction schedule, procurement status or completion date was provided in the reporting. The sources also do not identify project-by-project federal obligations. Those details will be needed to determine when individual repairs can proceed and how the announced funding will be assigned among the listed sites.

The next documented steps for the projects were not specified in the available reports. Until additional award and project information is released, the announcement should be understood as a major funding direction for permanent recovery work rather than confirmation that every repair has begun.

The declaration covers three central and southern Utah counties: Beaver, Piute and Sevier. The governor’s office described the circumstances as historic wildfire conditions and dangerous flooding, and said response and recovery operations were ongoing when the declaration was announced.

The action is an emergency declaration, not a damage assessment, a funding award or a finding that recovery has concluded. It activates state-level emergency-management authority and is intended to coordinate state support for the affected counties during the disaster response.

What the declaration does — and does not establish

Emergency declarations are among the formal executive documents maintained by the state. Utah’s Office of Administrative Rules identifies executive orders, proclamations and emergency declarations as part of the state’s executive-document record.

For Beaver, Piute and Sevier counties, the July 22 declaration establishes the state’s emergency posture while local communities continue their response and recovery work. The announcement does not state a total dollar value for state assistance, the number of homes damaged, or the number of residents affected.

It also does not establish federal disaster assistance or quantify wildfire or flood losses. Those determinations would require separate disaster-assessment records and are not included in the governor’s announcement.

No vote total applies to this action. It was signed by the governor as an executive emergency declaration rather than passed through a legislative vote, according to the state’s announcement and the state repository’s description of executive documents.

Wildfire conditions and fireworks authority

In the same July 22 announcement, the governor’s office said municipalities had regained primary authority over fireworks restrictions in some areas as wildfire conditions improved. That change was limited: it did not mean fireworks restrictions were lifted statewide.

The state forester retained authority to impose additional restrictions where needed, the governor’s office said. The guidance places local fireworks decisions alongside continuing state authority to add restrictions in response to conditions.

The announcement links the emergency declaration to wildfire and flooding conditions, while treating fireworks guidance as a separate update. It does not say that the county emergency declaration itself lifted, imposed or changed any particular fireworks restriction in Beaver, Piute or Sevier counties.

Other action announced July 22

The governor’s office also announced that Hannah Freeze would begin serving as Great Salt Lake commissioner on July 22. The appointment was included in the same state announcement but is separate from the emergency declaration for the three counties.

State records cited by the announcement identify July 22, 2026, as the declaration date. The available sources do not say whether the declaration was later amended or extended, and they provide no stated deadline for its expiration.

For residents and local governments in the three named counties, the immediate significance is the state’s formal coordination of emergency-management support while wildfire and flood response continues. The scope documented in the announcement remains limited to Beaver, Piute and Sevier counties, with no statewide emergency declaration described in the provided records.

The two options are not interchangeable. The state DRAP program offers limited grant assistance for eligible individuals and families, while the U.S. Small Business Administration offers physical-damage disaster loans that must be repaid.

Two different forms of assistance

DRAP grants may help eligible applicants with qualifying home repairs, temporary housing and essential personal property related to the flooding. Approval is not automatic. Eligibility depends on program requirements, household or income circumstances, qualifying damage and the documentation submitted.

SBA physical-damage loans are available under separate rules to homeowners, renters, private nonprofit organizations and businesses with qualifying physical damage. Depending on the applicant and property, the loans may address damage to homes, personal property, nonprofit facilities or business property.

Because SBA assistance is a loan rather than a grant, applicants should review repayment terms, loan limits, covered-property rules and other underwriting requirements before accepting funds. Insurance and disaster assistance also must be coordinated under applicable duplication-of-benefits rules.

Deadlines arrive on different dates

The SBA deadline for physical-damage applications is September 21, 2026. The DRAP application period opened July 23, and DRAP applications are due by October 21, 2026.

Those are application deadlines, not guarantees that funds will be approved, distributed or available by a particular repair date. Applicants should begin gathering records now rather than waiting until the final weeks.

Documents flood-affected applicants should gather

Applicants should preserve photographs and videos of the damage, repair estimates, receipts, insurance information, proof of ownership or occupancy and any other records requested by the programs. Organized records can help explain when and how the July flooding damaged a home, personal property, nonprofit facility or business.

The PEMA activation notice specifically includes Altoona City in Blair County. Residents and other eligible applicants should use the current City of Altoona, PEMA and SBA instructions for forms, submission procedures and program-specific eligibility questions.

The main distinction is simple: a DRAP application seeks grant assistance subject to program limits, while an SBA application seeks a repayable loan. Neither program guarantees an award, and final decisions depend on agency review of the applicant’s damage, circumstances and documentation.

Sources

• City of Altoona flood assistance notice
• U.S. Small Business Administration physical-damage loans
• PEMA DRAP event guidance

Gov. Patrick Morrisey submitted the request on July 25 after severe weather began affecting the state on July 21. The request seeks Individual Assistance and Public Assistance for Barbour, Doddridge, Harrison, Lewis, Pleasants, Ritchie and Upshur counties, along with statewide hazard-mitigation funding.

The seven counties are not necessarily the final list. The governor‘s office said the request may be amended as damage assessments continue and additional counties may be added.

Damage reports and cleanup work

As of July 25, West Virginia had received more than 950 household damage reports through the state’s damage-assessment system. Officials said local, state and federal teams were still validating damage to homes, businesses, public infrastructure and critical facilities.

Independent reporting by The Associated Press described flooded homes and businesses, washed-out bridges, water rescues, shelters and emergency operations in communities including Buckhannon and Weston.

By July 27, the state said 201 West Virginia National Guard personnel and 67 vehicles were deployed across affected areas. Crews had removed nearly 3,000 tons of debris, while road work, debris removal and other protective measures continued.

Recovery operations were continuing in Lewis, Upshur and Pleasants counties. The state also reported that utility restoration was nearing completion, water service had been restored to customers served by the Mount Hope Water Association in Upshur County, and flood-debris sites in Lewis, Upshur and Barbour counties were accepting material from residents.

What federal approval could mean

The governor’s request is not the same as a presidential declaration. FEMA guidance says an expedited request can be submitted before preliminary damage assessments are complete, but the president must declare that an emergency or major disaster exists before federal assistance can be provided.

A declaration would determine the incident period, eligible areas, types of assistance and federal cost share. Individual Assistance is intended for eligible individuals and households. Public Assistance supports eligible state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations with costs such as debris removal, emergency protective measures and restoration of damaged public facilities.

FEMA also says designated areas and assistance programs can vary, and additional areas may be added after an initial declaration. Residents in the seven counties named by West Virginia should not assume that every household, business or local government will automatically qualify.

What remains unresolved

No presidential major-disaster declaration was confirmed in the sources reviewed for this article. The federal decision, the final county designations and the assistance programs that could become available remain unresolved.

For now, residents affected by the flooding should document property damage, keep records of cleanup and repair costs, follow county and state instructions, and monitor official updates as assessments continue. Road, debris, utility and water-service work also remains active in several of the hardest-hit counties.

Sources

• West Virginia governor's July 25 disaster-declaration request
• FEMA disaster-declaration and assistance guidance
• Associated Press West Virginia flooding report

The funding follows the June 2024 flooding that damaged hundreds of homes and left some properties uninhabitable. The Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management announcement said the money is being provided through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, or HMGP.

What the funding covers

The state announcement says the HMGP funding, together with separate Public Assistance support, will fund the acquisition and demolition of 123 residential properties damaged in the 2024 flooding.

Public Assistance is a separate FEMA funding stream from the more-than-$22-million mitigation obligation. Iowa Public Radio and Dakota News Now reported that Rock Valley also received about $3.5 million for cleanup and repairs.

Some regional coverage described the buyout portion as involving 104 properties, while the official state announcement identifies 123 residential properties for the acquisition and demolition effort. The sources reviewed for this article do not fully resolve the difference, so the state figure is used here for the overall project.

The project is entering implementation

City of Rock Valley procurement notices show the administrative work needed to move the project forward. The notices seek legal services for FEMA-funded home buyouts, residential appraisal services, asbestos inspections and demolition services.

That activity indicates the project is moving from federal review into contracting and compliance work. It does not mean every property has been purchased, vacated or demolished, and the notices do not establish a final demolition schedule for all affected homes.

Iowa Public Radio reported that city officials expected several weeks of paperwork and federal compliance work before demolition could begin. Property-specific steps may include appraisals, title and legal work, inspections and closing arrangements.

What affected homeowners should know

The buyout program is voluntary. In its December 2025 recovery update, the city described the process as complex and time-consuming and said it could not begin buyout offers until FEMA formally obligated the project.

For eligible homeowners, the obligation creates a federally supported path to sell flood-damaged properties. It does not mean that all homeowners have received offers or that individual closing dates have been set.

Why the land will remain open space

After the city acquires and demolishes the properties, the sites are expected to remain open space rather than return to residential development. The state said the purpose is to remove homes from areas exposed to future flooding and reduce the potential for repeat damage.

For affected neighborhoods, that means recovery will involve more than rebuilding. Some parcels are expected to leave the housing supply permanently, while the city takes on responsibility for maintaining the acquired land and determining how it functions as open space.

Affected residents should monitor the City of Rock Valley’s public notices and flood-recovery updates for eligibility information, property-specific instructions, contracting activity and future plans for the acquired sites.

Sources

• Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management funding announcement
• City of Rock Valley procurement notices
• Iowa Public Radio report on northwest Iowa flood aid

The City says there were no injuries reported, but it is still asking residents to stay away from affected areas so crews can continue assessing damage and clearing hazards.

What officials say happened, and where damage was reported

In its July 15 update, the City of San Antonio said the storm affected areas near the University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio), the Rim, Camp Bullis, Crown Ridge, and the Dominion. Damage reported throughout the area includes downed trees, roof and storefront damage, damaged signs, and scattered debris.

The City said the most significant structural damage occurred at the Oasis Apartments, 6023 UTSA Blvd., where a large section of the roof was torn from the building and three fourth-floor units were affected.

What residents should do now: avoid damaged areas, flooded roadways, and power lines

The City urged the public to avoid damaged areas, flooded roadways, and downed power lines while crews respond.

For help with debris, downed trees, or a property damage assessment, officials directed residents to call 3-1-1. The City also said anyone encountering a downed power line should stay away and report it to CPS Energy. If someone smells gas, officials advised moving to a safe location, calling 911, and contacting CPS Energy.

Cleanup continues: trees removed and low-water crossings barricaded

The City said it has been removing trees from the impacted areas and that it has removed 57 trees from the areas impacted by storms this week, including 34 trees that day.

City staff also barricaded 20 low-water crossings as of 4 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15 and said it will continue monitoring conditions overnight. The City also reiterated that debris should be placed at the curb clear of vehicles or other obstructions.

Flood cautions remain in place after the tornado threat

Even though the tornado threat had diminished, the City said San Antonio remained under a Flash Flood Watch through Thursday evening, July 16. Residents were urged to continue monitoring weather alerts.

The City also referenced ongoing flood-risk precautions, and a National Weather Service flash flood statement on July 15 later said the flash flood warning for northwestern Bexar County was replaced with a flood advisory.

UT San Antonio: remote classes during the July 15–16 disruption window

UT San Antonio posted updates that connected the storm conditions and flooding to campus operations. In an update posted Wednesday, July 15 at 8:15 p.m., the university said all classes and labs scheduled for Thursday, July 16 would be conducted remotely for students with classes at both the Main Campus and Downtown Campus.

Later, in a Thursday, July 16 update at 4:45 p.m., UT San Antonio said it would resume normal operations for faculty, staff, and students on Friday, July 17. The university also repeated safety guidance urging people to never drive through flooded roadways or high water.

What to watch next

Because cleanup and damage assessments can take time, residents in or near the areas officials flagged should keep checking the City’s latest severe-weather updates and follow local public safety guidance—especially around flood-prone roads and low-water crossings.

Sources

• City of San Antonio — Severe Weather Update (resident guidance & recovery actions)
• National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio (EWX) — Flash Flood Statement
• Texas Public Radio — Tornado touches down in northwest Bexar County
• UT San Antonio Today — University provides updates in response to storm conditions and impact

Story County says Governor Kim Reynolds’ disaster proclamation for Story County activated two Iowa programs—Iowa Individual Assistance and Disaster Case Advocacy.

Below is what to do first, how to apply, what “up to $7,000” means for qualifying households, and how to document damage safely as you clean up.

What changed after the July 2–4 storms

Story County says the Governor issued a disaster proclamation for Story County after the July 2–4 storms, activating Iowa Individual Assistance and Disaster Case Advocacy.

The proclamation was issued on July 6, 2026 and, according to Iowa, it remains in effect for 30 days unless it is terminated or extended.

Step 1: Report flood damage before you move on

Story County is encouraging residents with damage from flood waters to report it using the county’s self-reporter link. Story County says that self-reporter process reports the damage to Emergency Management and the state.

Why this matters: reporting helps agencies understand which households were affected so you can be directed to the right assistance and recovery steps.

Step 2: Apply for Iowa Individual Disaster Assistance (the “up to $7,000” grant)

Story County directs residents to the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) for the application materials for the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program.

“Up to $7,000” is not automatic. Iowa says grants are available to qualifying households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. If you qualify, the Iowa program provides reimbursements up to $7,000 for disaster-related expenses that are not fully covered by insurance and not met by another assistance program.

Story County says the funds may be used for:

• Home or car repairs
• Replacement of personal property or food
• Temporary housing expenses that are not covered by insurance or met by another assistance program

Receipts and proof matter. Iowa says original receipts are required for reimbursement of actual expenses. Iowa’s application instructions also indicate that documentation like photo identification, proof of legal residency, and proof of income may be requested when you apply or if details are reviewed.

Grant submission window

Iowa guidance says potential applicants have 45 days from the date of the disaster proclamation to submit a claim.

Step 3: Disaster Case Advocacy (no income test, time-limited)

In addition to the grant, Iowa offers Disaster Case Advocacy. Story County says case advocates help residents create personalized recovery plans and provide guidance and referrals to necessary services.

No income requirements and no cost: Iowa says Disaster Case Advocacy has no income eligibility requirements and no cost.

Advocacy window: Iowa says the program closes 180 days from the date of the governor’s proclamation.

Important caution: Iowa also warns that if a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance is issued for the same county and event, the Iowa state program is automatically canceled for that county (because the federal program then takes effect). If you’re unsure how that affects your next step, follow the state/county guidance and don’t rely on informal or third-party claims.

During cleanup: document damage, then clean safely

Iowa’s flood recovery guidance emphasizes two things at once: don’t rush in and document first.

From Iowa’s flood cleanup resources:

• Don’t enter until authorities give an “All Clear.” Iowa advises waiting for an All Clear because flood damage can create dangers like structural collapse.
• Document damage and focus on stopping mold. Iowa says to start recovery by documenting damage and taking steps to stop mold spread.
• Check electrical safety. Iowa advises making sure the electrical system is turned off and having qualified help fix wires.
• Use the right safety gear—especially if sewage is involved. Iowa says to wear proper protective gear if sewage is involved (and to be careful about floodwater hazards).

Keep photos and any receipts tied to repairs, replacement items, temporary housing, or other covered expenses—since reimbursement depends on documentation.

Bottom line for Huxley households

If your Huxley home was flooded or damaged during the July 2–4 storms, Story County says you should report the damage, then apply for Iowa Individual Assistance through the state’s process. Qualifying households may be eligible for reimbursements up to $7,000 based on eligibility rules (including income). Disaster Case Advocacy can provide no-cost help with navigating recovery steps during the program’s time window.

Sources

• Story County: Disaster assistance resources after July 2–4 severe weather
• Iowa HSEM: Assistance for Individuals (Iowa Individual Assistance + Case Advocacy windows)
• Iowa Disaster Recovery: Flood clean-up resources

The center matters because recovery is no longer just about cleanup crews and emergency calls. For residents facing damaged homes, flooded basements, school disruption, or questions about assistance, the county says the resource center is meant to connect people with the agencies and services that can help them sort out what comes next.

What the recovery center is for

The Rock County Multi-Agency Resource Center is designed to bring together recovery support in one place. That can include help identifying available services, guidance on damage-related next steps, and referrals tied to storm recovery needs. For residents who are still figuring out what insurance, repair, or assistance questions they need to answer first, that kind of central checkpoint can save time.

County officials have also pointed residents to broader flood and tornado recovery resources, while Wisconsin Emergency Management has said response activity remains ongoing across the state after the severe weather and flooding.

The damage picture is still growing

Early assessments suggest the flood hit harder than a single neighborhood or a small set of properties. WMTV reported on April 23 that hundreds of buildings in Rock County have been identified as affected so far. That number is still an early count, not a final total, but it gives a better sense of how widespread the damage may be.

For Janesville homeowners, landlords, renters, and local businesses, that matters because the full financial picture is still developing. Some losses will take time to surface as inspections continue, cleanup moves forward, and more property owners report damage. The current count should be read as a snapshot, not the end of the story.

Washington Elementary families are still displaced

The flood’s impact has also reached the school day. WIFR reported that Washington Elementary students have been reassigned to alternate learning sites for the rest of the school year after flood damage. Transportation is continuing for those students, which should help families keep their routines as stable as possible while the building remains out of service.

That relocation is one of the clearest signs that this is not a short-lived disruption. Parents still have to manage pickup and drop-off changes, childcare schedules, and daily commuting around a school move that will last through the end of the year.

What residents should watch next

Right now, the biggest unanswered questions are the total cost of repairs, how much individual property owners can recover, and how long cleanup and rebuilding will take. Those answers will likely change as assessments continue.

For now, Janesville-area residents affected by the flooding should watch for updates from Rock County, the school district, and Wisconsin Emergency Management. The April 25 resource center is the most immediate place to start for people who need help turning a damaged property or disrupted routine into a recovery plan.

Sources

• Rock County Multi-Agency Resource Center page
• Rock County flood and tornado resource hub
• Wisconsin Emergency Management April storms update
• WMTV report on Rock County flood damage assessments
• WIFR report on Washington Elementary relocation plan
• Wisconsin Public Radio report on Janesville school flood damage