A 51-year-old West Allis woman was injured after falling down a bluff south of Grant Park this evening, according to a press release from the South Milwaukee Police Department.

Here is the release I received:

On 7/31/10, at about 5:16pm, SMPD received a 911 transfer call from the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office.  The caller, a 51 year old female from West Allis, said she had fallen down the bluff near Grant Park and was now injured and incapacitated.  Dispatch kept the caller on the phone and continued talking with her until officers were able to locate her, less than 30 minutes later, along a tree line, near the beach, about ¼ mile south of the South Milwaukee Yacht Club.  The woman was treated at the scene and transported by SMFD boat to an SMFD ambulance, which was waiting at the SM Yacht Club.  The woman, conscious and alert, was then transported to the hospital for treatment.  The extent of her injuries is unknown at this time.

I’ll post additional information if and when I receive it.

The numbers are pretty staggering.

More than 350 South Milwaukee homes, and counting, suffered flood damage as part of last week’s storms, according to the most recent tally from the city clerk’s office.

I say “and counting” because I’m certain there are residents who have not reported their flood damage to the city yet. I ask that you do so ASAP by calling 762-2222. Please be specific in explaining what happened.

Also, please report all damage to the county at 2-1-1 or via this online form.

Here are a few other notes from today’s flood update from the city:

• FEMA was in South Milwaukee on Friday assessing damage.
• The Street Department has reported picking up nearly 49 tons of flood-damaged debris July 26-29. If you still need a special pickup, please call the Street Department at 768-8075.
• Flood cleanup kits are also available at the Health Department and Fire Department.
• Repair work has begun on the 200 block of Hawthorne Avenue. The Common Council on Tuesday night approved emergency funding for repair of the street, which was damaged by flood waters pouring off the Grant Park Golf Course.

This is a depressing story from the Journal Sentinel …

Online court records indicate James Szuta lives at 1612 Manistique Ave.

A preliminary hearing is set for August 13. I’ll keep you posted.

Here is another story Journal Sentinel story about the case — one that certainly paints a different picture of the victim than the criminal complaint does.

Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker is urging homeowners not to expect too much relief from the federal government following last week’s floods.

Learn more in this Journal Sentinel story about FEMA, which was expected in South Milwaukee on Wednesday.

Here are some other local headlines of interest:

• 4 Beaches Open, 7 Remain Closed (Journal Sentinel)
• Flood-Damaged Home in Franklin to be Razed (Journal Sentinel)
• The Ball’s Rolling — Vote or Not and Missing the Mark — and the Vote (New Kid’s View blog)
• Don’t Expect Quick Cash, Jefferson Flood Victims Say (Journal Sentinel)
• Will Donated Federal Land Lead to Airport Expansion (Milwaukee Magazine News Buzz)

Also, check out information on new principals for South Milwaukee High School and Blakewood Elementary on the South Milwaukee School District’s website.

Update: Here is another potential scam floating around.

Last fall, the South Milwaukee Police Department and Officer Mike Hill, working with then-Alderman Jim Shelenske, started a great email crime alert service for area property owners and businesses.

His most recent update included some tips on how to avoid being scammed following the floods. Check out the information here.

And to sign up for Officer Hill’s service, email him at mhill@ci.south-milwaukee.wi.us.

Thanks to everyone who came out to Tuesday’s Public Works and Public Property Committee meeting.

I understand the frustration in the room, and I sympathize. I am glad everyone who wanted to had a chance to speak their mind. Fifteen people spoke in all, 14 from the Parkway Drive/Hemlock Court area, and your message came through loud and clear: We need to take concrete action to address these flooding problems.

And we are. The committee expressed its support on getting the ball rolling on a larger study of some of the city’s problem areas from last week’s storm (Parkway Drive included). I expect the full committee will take a formal vote on moving ahead with this study in time for the issue to be brought up at our next City Council meeting on August 17.

The mayor made it clear that the city will find the money for this study, and I welcome it. We need to find some answers here, and we will.

I’ll keep you posted on this in the days and weeks ahead. In the meantime, I’ll reiterate my request the request that everyone report their flood damage specifics to both the city and the county. We need to know the full extent of the damage if we’re truly going to address this.

Learn more at the city website.

Still cleaning up from flood damage last week?

The city received a shipment of flood cleanup kits on Monday, and they are available for pickup from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Health Department at City Hall, 2424 15th Ave.

Also, the Health Department is offering tetanus booster vaccinations for those who have not had a shot in the last 10 years. Call the Health Department at 768-8055 to learn more.

Here are some other updates:

• All flood damage should be reported to the county by calling 2-1-1 or 866-211-3380, or by filling out the online form found here. Also, please call the city at 762-2222 to report damage, so we can catalog the problems.
• To schedule a special curbside pickup with the city, call the Street Department at 768-8075.
• The foot bridge over Oak Creek at Beech Street has washed away, as it did in 2008. I am not sure of the timeline for replacement.
• Grant Park beach remains closed, as do all county beaches.

The only fatality from last week’s floods was a 19-year-old man from Cudahy, according to this Journal Sentinel story.

He was found in Lincoln Creek.

Here are some other headlines of note from around the South Shore:

• Home, Sweet “Deep Tunnel” Sewerage System and Slimed Again (New Kid’s View blog)
• Bucyrus Hopeful — But Still Awaiting — Loan Approvals (Journal Sentinel)
• Bucyrus Earnings Fall 11% (Journal Sentinel)
• Oak Creek Refuses to Pay Farmer’s Legal Bill (Journal Sentinel)

Update: We actually had about 1.2 inches of rain Friday night/early Saturday morning, according to Andy Bakalarski, the city’s wastewater superintendent. But it apparently was not intense enough to not cause any more flooding. With the new figures, we had about 7.7 inches of rain combined on July 23-24 … two days that I’m betting most won’t forget anytime soon.

The flash flooding feared overnight never materialized, and it looks like things are improving.

We had maybe a half inch of rain after midnight, according WISN’s Mark Baden. And Oak Creek’s levels are dropping. While the creeks remains at flood stage, it had fallen to 8.8 feet (flood stage is eight feet), down from nearly 10 feet on Friday. The forecast is also improving, and it looks like it will be a nice day for the Heritage Days parade and Lionsfest.

Of course, none of this is any solace for the homeowners so severely affected by Thursday’s record rains. I had a chance to speak with maybe a dozen flooded-out homeowners on Parkway Drive on Friday, and it was heartbreaking to hear their stories. My thoughts and prayers are with them.

The latest update from the National Weather Service (as of 9:34 p.m. Friday) is still calling for one to three inches of rain in the area, and maybe more, overnight. A flash flood watch remains in effect.

The best chances for heavy rainfall will come after 2 a.m.

See the full update here.

South Milwaukee received 6.65 inches of rain on Thursday at the wastewater treatment facility on 5th Avenue.

That’s the sixth-most of all reporting stations in the area, behind three in Milwaukee and one each in Oak Creek and Franklin. The latter two are significant because the heavy rains there ultimately drain into Oak Creek, which remained above flood stage Thursday night.

According to this report from the National Weather Service, Oak Creek in South Milwaukee stood at 9.4 feet as of 9:25 p.m., well above its flood stage of eight feet.

Click here for the complete storm totals. And check out this map to see which areas got hit the worst.

The city has posted a flooding update on its website. Read it here.

Here are some experpts and additional information.

• The emergency remains in effect.
• Tonight’s Heritage Week Car Cruise has been cancelled (the car show remains on). Lionsfest remains on for this weekend, as does the Heritage Days parade. The Friends of the Mill Pond and Oak Creek Duck Race  is still on, but instead of running the ducks down Oak Creek, raffle tickets will be drawn to determine prize winners. The festivities begin at at 2 p.m. Saturday near Mill Road and Oak Creek Parkway.
• The 1400 block of Oak Creek Parkway (near the high school) and 200 block of Hawthorne remain closed.
• South Milwaukee residents that have debris to be removed due to flooding should place the items at the curb and call 768-8075 for a special pickup on Monday. Also, the self-deposit station is open today and Saturday during its regular hours.
• All Milwaukee County outdoor pools are closed today, including Grobschmidt Pool in South Milwaukee.
• All South Milwaukee School District recreation programs and student activities are cancelled Friday due to the flooding. The fitness center at the high school is also closed on Friday.

Oak Creek remained at flood stage as of 9:35 a.m. today.

The river stood at 9.3 feet, well above flood stage, which starts at eight feet. A 10-year flood occurs when the river is at 8.9 feet, acording to the National Weather Service. Minor Oak Creek flooding is being reported.

Here is the complete statement.

And we’re not done yet. A flash food watch is still in effect, as another one to three inches of rain, or more, is likely today and tonight. Here is the radar.

Here is a good roundup story from the Journal Sentinel.

The city has posted information for those with flood damage from the ongoing storms. Check out the information here.

To report flood damage, please call the city at 762-2222 and leave a message if you do not reach a city official.

We also request that all citizens and businesses call Milwaukee County 2-1-1 to report their storm/flood damage, as the 2-1-1 staff will be compiling daily reports of Milwaukee County damages.  Cell phone users should call 877-947-2211.

Questions? Please call the South Milwaukee Health Department at 768-8055.

This page on the FEMA site may also help. And check out this information from the Red Cross.

Flooded basements and roadways. Oak Creek overspilling its banks. Submerged cars. Washed out roads. Those were the types of calls flowing into police throughout the flooding emergency Thursday night.

I’d like to know how you were impacted by the flooding. Share your comments below.