What to do in an emergency

In Wisconsin, help is always just three numbers away. Yet, it’s important to know which three numbers to dial to get the assistance you need quickly. Dial 211 to get connected to information and services for essential needs like food, housing and shelter, help with utilities, family services or healthcare. Dial 988 if you, or someone you care for, is experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. And in life or death emergencies, such as a medical crisis, fire, serious crime or natural disaster, always dial 911 right away.

Know which three numbers to dial and when

Essential needs and services

Food
Housing and shelter
Utility assistance
Healthcare services
Government services
Substance use/mental health referrals and support
Transportation
Legal services
Disaster aftercare

Suicide and crisis lifeline

Thoughts of suicide
Mental health crisis
Substance use crisis
Emotional distress
Mental health referrals

First responder dispatch

Medical emergency
Fire
Serious crime
Natural disaster response
Life threatening situation

Handy links to report storm damage* or find shelter

Report storm damage

Find cooling shelters

* About 211 damage reports

211 partners with Wisconsin Emergency Management, County and Tribal Emergency Management Agencies, and Wisconsin Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (WIVOAD) to assess damage and need when a disaster hits Wisconsin. We help Wisconsin Emergency Management assess damage to determine if the state is eligible for national FEMA assistance. In order to apply for FEMA assistance, each county has to reach a threshold of damage. Collecting your information will help your county identify the need for federal assistance. We also ask if you are in need of volunteer assistance and report your response to WIVOAD to identify volunteers to assist you. Financial or volunteer assistance is not guaranteed, but we will do our best to connect you to the help you need.

Statewide resources

Be Ready for an Emergency — Find information and tips to help you prepare for a range of emergencies.

Disaster Recovery — Learn what to do after a disaster. Note that homeowners and businesses with damages should save receipts and document damage by taking pictures and check with your insurance agent.

Flood Hazards and Recovery — A flood hazard can be dangerous. Find out to keep you and your family safe before, during, and after.

Flood Toolkit — This handy toolkit offers in-depth guidance on flooding and what to do.

Food Safety — Find out how to keep food safe before, during, and after emergencies, such as floods, fires, natural disasters, or the loss of power.

Generator Safety — Stay safe when using a generator by learning the facts. Never connect a portable generator directly to a building’s wiring or plug the generator into an electrical outlet. This can cause dangerous situations for utility line mechanics when repairing downed power lines.

Road Closures — Visit this interactive map to see road closures throughout Wisconsin. Remember, DO NOT try to travel through any roadway covered with water.

Safety at Dam Sites — Every year, people are seriously injured or killed at dams. Stay safe by understanding dangers and obeying warnings.

Specific resources for agriculture and forestry
Agricultural Flooding — Find a range of flood-related resources for farmers. You may also call the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Farm Center at 800-942-2474 for assistance and counseling.

Agricultural Disaster Assistance — The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers a variety of programs to help farmers, ranchers, communities, and businesses that have been hard hit by natural disaster events.

Storm Damage to Forests — Find storm recovery information for forestry from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Woodland Owners Association — Learn more about sustainable management of Wisconsin’s forests.