IGR Committee Advances Chairwoman Nicholson-Bovell’s Coordinated Flood Preparedness Resolution
MILWAUKEE —In response to repeated catastrophic flooding across Milwaukee County communities, the Committee on Intergovernmental Relations today unanimously advanced legislation authored by Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson-Bovell calling for a more proactive, coordinated, and community-centered approach to flood prevention, emergency response, and public communication.
The legislation comes in response to the severe flooding Milwaukee County experienced in August of 2025 and then again in April 2026, with neighborhoods, businesses, and families still struggling to recover from damaged homes, flooded basements, impassable streets, and mounting financial costs.
“People are frustrated, exhausted, and feeling like they are left on their own every time disaster strikes,” said Chairwoman Nicholson-Bovell. “Residents want to know who to call, where to go, what resources exist, and what the government is doing before the next storm hits — not after. This resolution is about improving coordination, improving communication, and making sure we are operating proactively instead of reactively,” said Chairwoman Nicholson-Bovell. “This has to be a collaborative effort between Milwaukee County, municipalities, MMSD, emergency management professionals, state and federal leaders, and residents themselves. Climate-related disasters are becoming more frequent and more severe, and our response has to evolve with that reality.”
Nicholson-Bovell emphasized that Milwaukee County’s Office of Emergency Management and municipal partners already play an important role during emergencies, but said recent flooding events revealed the need for stronger coordination, clearer public communication, and a more unified regional strategy moving forward.
The legislation calls for Milwaukee County’s Office of Emergency Management to work collaboratively with municipal and regional partners to strengthen flood preparedness, improve public communication, and better coordinate emergency response efforts across the region.
In line with the Governor’s request today for relief, the resolution also urges stronger federal investment in critical infrastructure, flood prevention, and disaster recovery after Wisconsin’s request for federal disaster aid following the August 2025 floods was denied, leaving local communities and taxpayers to absorb the costs. “We cannot continue forcing local communities and taxpayers to shoulder these costs alone while critical infrastructure needs go underfunded,” Nicholson-Bovell said. “Flooding is no longer a once-in-a-generation issue. This is a national infrastructure issue, a climate resiliency issue, and a public safety issue.
The resolution is expected to be considered by the full Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors at their May 28th meeting.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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