Trees around the city were hammered by this week’s storms, including this one in Lincoln Park. (Photo by Adam Carr)
The hot weather and severe storms have wreaked havoc across Milwaukee. Here’s a quick list of handy resources.
What to do if your food spoils because of the storm:
If you receive FoodShare and had food spoil because of a storm-related power outage, you can have the food replaced. FoodShare members should contact their local agency to request replacement benefits. Replacement benefits are issued for the amount of food lost, up to the amount of benefits already issued for the month.
Fill out the Request for Replacement FoodShare Benefits form and submit it to your agency. Reach out to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin for help with FoodShare at: www.feedingamericawi.org. While FoodShare can be replaced due to power outages, P-EBT cannot.
The American Red Cross has tips for staying safe and recovering:
https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services.html
Impact 2-1-1 can connect you with numerous agencies that can help you:
https://www.impactinc.org/impact-2-1-1/
Need to report a power outage?
File a report to WE Energies here or call 800-662-4797. Don’t assume that the utility is aware of the outage.
Hot weather tips:
The Milwaukee Health Department recommends the following:
- Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty to take a drink of water.
- Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing and a hat.
- Find shade if you have to be outdoors.
- Avoid high-energy activities such as strenuous exercise.
- Take cool showers/baths to help lower your body temperature.
- Avoid using your oven when possible to prevent creating excess heat in your home
- Check in on family members and neighbors, especially those who are high-risk.
- Know the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness.
- Take care of your pets. Do not leave pets in closed cars, be aware of the effect pavement temperatures have on your pet’s paws, and ensure pets have plenty of water available.
- Stay indoors in air-conditioned spaces as much as possible. If your home does not have air conditioning, consider visiting public air-conditioned spaces, such as local cooling centers.
More information, including a list of available cooling centers and public pools, can be found at Milwaukee.gov/health/cooling-sites
Have more questions? Text MKE to 73224 and ask to connect with a reporter. We will help get the answers you need.
El clima caluroso y las tormentas severas han causado estragos en Milwaukee. Aquí está una lista rápida de recursos útiles.
American Red Cross tiene consejos para mantenerse seguro y recuperarse. https://www.redcross.org/cruz-roja.html
Impact 2-1-1 puede ponerse en contacto con numerosas agencias que pueden ayudarle. Envíe un mensaje de texto al 211 o llame al 877-947-2211
¿Necesita informar de un apagón?
Presente un informe a WE Energies https://www.we-energies.com/partners/espanol/default o llame al 800-662-4797. No asuma que son conscientes del apagón.
Qué hacer si su comida se estropea debido a la tormenta:
Si usted recibe FoodShare y los alimentos se han estropeado debido a un apagón relacionado con la tormenta, puede reemplazar los alimentos. Los miembros de FoodShare deben ponerse en contacto con su agencia local para solicitar beneficios de reemplazo. Los beneficios de reemplazo se emiten por la cantidad de alimentos perdidos, hasta la cantidad de beneficios ya emitidos para el mes.
Llene el formulario de solicitud de reemplazo de beneficios de FoodShare https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/forms/f0/f00330s.pdf y entréguelo a su agencia. Comuníquese con Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin para obtener ayuda con FoodShare en: www.feedingamericawi.org. Aunque FoodShare puede ser reemplazado debido a cortes de energía, P-EBT no puede.
Consejos para el clima caluroso:
El Milwaukee Health Department recomienda lo siguiente:
- Manténgase hidratado. Bebe muchos líquidos durante todo el día. No espere hasta que sienta sed para tomar agua.
- Lleve ropa suelta y ligera y un sombrero.
- Encuentre sombra si tiene que estar al aire libre.
- Evite las actividades de alta energía como el ejercicio extenuante.
- Tome duchas/baños fríos para ayudar a bajar la temperatura de su cuerpo.
- Evite usar su horno cuando sea posible para prevenir crear un exceso de calor en su hogar.
- Comuníquese con los miembros de la familia y vecinos, especialmente los de alto riesgo.
- Conozca signs and symptoms of heat-related illness /los signos y síntomas de las enfermedades relacionadas con el calor.
- Cuide de sus mascotas. No deje a las mascotas en coches cerrados, tenga en cuenta el efecto que las temperaturas del pavimento tienen en las patas de su mascota, y asegúrese de que las mascotas tienen suficiente agua disponible.
- Permanezca en espacios con aire acondicionado tanto como sea posible. Si su casa no tiene aire acondicionado, considere visitar espacios públicos con aire acondicionado, como local cooling centers/centros locales de enfriamiento.
Puede encontrar más información, incluyendo una lista de centros de enfriamiento y piscinas públicas disponibles, en https://city.milwaukee.gov/Health/Cooling-Sites
¿Tiene más preguntas? Envíe el mensaje de texto “MKE” al 73224 y pida que se ponga en contacto con un reportero. Le ayudaremos a obtener las respuestas que necesita.
I had to get rid of all my food do to power outages for 3days
I had to get rid of all of my food in my fridge raider it was all spoiled due to the power outage. My power just came back on last night on the 12th everything was Spoiled it just went grocery shopping.
Wow us working people gets no help what so ever while those that gets all the free benefits have it so easy not fair at all I pay cash for my food and lost it all. Sad world we live in
You should check with your homeowner’s or renter’s policy.
Also, it’s great that you’ve managed to never need help. It hasn’t worked that way for everyone. It also isn’t hurting you that someone else is getting help.
Agree!
So true, it’s very unfair
I have lost all my food, we have been without power since August 10
I agree with the fact of food share members only get their food replaced is unfair to us who pay cash for our food. A lady I know is living in a facility, get free meals and receive food share. Had the nerve to say she is applying for extra stamps. That bothered me. I work at that facility. My power was off 3 days and I don’t receive food share.
This system isn’t set to help you get forward in life they’ll never let you get ahead I’ve worked all my life since I was 15 2 jobs and the little bit of food stamps I would get barely got us by if I made an extra dollar they take 2 away from you if you’ve never needed help good for you and those that do just know this system isn’t set for you to win!!
Where do I go to get a gift card for the food I lost you on the storm
We just published an update with that info: https://milwaukeenns.org/2021/08/19/updated-free-grocery-gift-cards-meals-available-for-those-who-lost-power/
I WAS WITHOUT POWER ON AUGUST 12TH WHERE I HAD 2 SPEND THE NIGHT AWAY SOMEWHERE ELSE. THE NEXT DAY, I THREW OUT FOODS FROM REFRIGERATOR & FREEZER. I, TOO, PAID CASH FOR FOOD. THEY WERE GIVING AWAY GIFT CARDS AT A CERTAIN TIME OF THE DAY. BUT WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE WHO WORK DURING THOSE HOURS. I THINK SINCE WE ENERGIES KNOWS WHO’S POWER WAS OUT, SHOULD AUTOMATICALLY RECIEVE CARDS, BY MAIL 2 REPLACE OUR FOOD!