Warehouse Space Needed to Support Flood Recovery in Southeast Wisconsin
In August 2025, historic flooding across Southeast Wisconsin damaged thousands of homes and disrupted the lives of many families. While the floodwaters have long since receded, recovery is still underway—and for many households, the rebuilding process is only just beginning.
Across Milwaukee County and surrounding communities, volunteer rebuilding teams are preparing to help repair homes affected by the floods. These efforts are being coordinated with leadership from the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Wisconsin Conference, along with local partners working through the Southeast Wisconsin Community Organizations Active in Disasters (SEWI COAD).
As rebuilding efforts ramp up this spring, one key resource is needed to support this work: temporary warehouse space to stage building materials.
Why Warehouse Space Matters
Volunteer rebuilding teams rely on donated or purchased materials—things like drywall, flooring, paint, and basic construction supplies—to repair homes. Having a central staging location allows teams to efficiently pick up materials and bring them directly to active rebuilding sites.
Without a staging location, coordinating supplies across multiple projects becomes significantly more difficult.
A warehouse or storage space would allow recovery partners to:
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Store construction materials safely and securely
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Stage supplies for volunteer rebuilding teams
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Coordinate pickup and transport to active repair sites
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Support multiple rebuilding projects across the region
This type of support can make a major difference in how quickly families are able to return to safe and stable homes.
What Kind of Space Is Needed
Recovery partners are currently seeking a community partner that may have unused or underutilized warehouse or storage space.
Ideal space includes:
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2,500–5,000 square feet of storage space
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Located in Milwaukee County (nearby areas may also work)
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Available approximately late April through December 2026
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Space that can be accessed by volunteer rebuilding teams to pick up materials
Materials stored would include typical construction supplies such as drywall, flooring, tools, paint, and occasional appliances like water heaters. No hazardous or perishable materials would be stored.
The space would not be open to the public and would only be accessed by designated recovery partners and organized volunteer teams.
A Community Partnership Opportunity
Recovery after disasters is rarely accomplished by a single organization. It takes collaboration across nonprofits, government, businesses, and community partners.
Sometimes the most impactful contributions are not financial—they are practical resources that help the entire recovery effort move forward.
If your organization, business, congregation, or network may have warehouse or storage space available, we would welcome the opportunity to explore a partnership.
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Learn More or Start the Conversation
If you or someone in your network may be able to help, please reach out:
Southeast Wisconsin Community Organizations Active in Disasters (SEWI COAD)
coadsewi@gmail.com
414-639-4456
You can also learn more about ongoing recovery efforts at:
www.sewicoad.org
Even sharing this opportunity with others in your network can help connect the right space with the rebuilding teams working to help families recover.
SWHSP