From Floods to Winter Storms: Readiness, Response & Resilience

• Spring Readiness Message
• Record-Breaking Wisconsin Floods
• Winter Storm Fern: Powering Communities
• Spring 2026 Disaster Risk Outlook

Your commitment and availability as a disaster housing inspector are essential to FEMA’s service to survivors, community recovery, and ensuring timely help for those in need.

While current funding challenges have temporarily impacted staffing and training, these issues are being actively addressed through the partnership between FEMA and WSP. Our dedication to preparedness and mission success remains unwavering. Proactive planning, open communication, and strong collaboration will guide us forward. Thank you for your commitment to service—your work makes a profound difference for disaster survivors nationwide!

Between August 9 and 10, 2025, southeastern Wisconsin was hit by a historic rainfall event, with 14.5 inches of rain overwhelming Waukesha, Washington, Milwaukee, and Ozaukee counties. Flash flooding rendered roads impassable, stranded vehicles, and inundated basements. Driven by a stalled frontal boundary and unusually moist air, repeated thunderstorms fueled rapid river surges and drainage system failures.

WSP USA Inspection Services responded immediately under DR-4892 WI, mobilizing inspectors and completing over 75% of upfront assessments within just five days. The final assessment for DR-4828 WI is now complete, with all benchmarks for schedule, turnaround, quality, and customer service exceeded. This exceptional performance highlights the dedication and professionalism of WSP inspectors, whose swift, thorough work under demanding conditions reinforced WSP’s reputation as a trusted partner in disaster response.

A sincere thank you to ALL WSP inspectors for embodying the values and qualities that set our team apart!

A flooded home in Wisconsin after August 2025 storms. Image source: Hannah Schroeder / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

From January 23–27, 2026, Winter Storm Fern swept across the nation, causing widespread power outages and damage to critical infrastructure. WSP answered the call, supporting FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) through the Temporary Emergency Power (TEP) mission. Our rapid response teams provided assessments, installations, and operations of emergency generators at warming shelters, emergency service centers, and key communication sites, helping communities stay connected and safe.

Nine members of WSP’s Field Services team quickly deployed to generator staging bases in Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Mississippi, ensuring seamless emergency power response. This successful joint effort showcases the importance of prepositioned resources, effective contracting, and close coordination with USACE, FEMA, state agencies, and industry partners. WSP’s expertise helped keep critical infrastructure online during one of the year’s most severe weather events.

As spring approaches, disaster risks are on the rise. Lingering winter conditions and an active severe weather pattern are setting the stage for increased hazards. The Northeast, Great Lakes, Upper Midwest, Northwest, and northern Rockies face above-normal snowpack, raising the risk of major flooding as snowmelt accelerates.

Severe weather—including damaging winds, heavy rain, flash floods, and river flooding—is expected to intensify, especially from the Mississippi Valley to the Gulf states in March and April. Slow-moving storms could bring heavier rainfall along the Gulf Coast and lower Ohio Valley. By late April and May, these risks will extend further north into the Plains and Midwest.

AccuWeather Spring 2026 Flood Risk Forecast map. Source: accuweather.com

• Look out for upcoming readiness sessions.
• Monitor The Daily DART | WSP Inspection Services for the latest updates.
• Maintain and confirm your availability for deployment at WSP - Inspector Webpage

Sincerely,

Jarad Kapsa, FEMA HIS Managing Director

WSP USA Inspections Services