WISN-TV in Milwaukee partnered with the American Red Cross to hold the “WISN 12 Hurricane Relief Drive” to provide critical support for people devastated by Hurricane Helene. Through the generosity of viewers and corporate contributions, $144,248 was collected to help communities following the record-setting, deadly storm.

“The death and destruction from Helene is heartbreaking, leaving destruction and the lives of so many others totally upended,” said Jan Wade, president and general manager of WISN 12. “We wanted to do whatever we could to help, and immediately partnered with the local Red Cross and our generous viewers to raise much needed funds.”

The station launched the drive on Sept. 27 with online donations to the Red Cross. On Oct. 2 the station hosted a phone bank from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Along with the generosity of viewers across southeastern Wisconsin, matching donations were delivered by companies including Sargento offering $20,000 and the WE Energies Foundation offering $10,000. WISN 12 also contributed $1,000 for the recovery and rebuilding efforts.

“It’s extremely touching to see communities here at home helping other communities across the country,” Wade said. “Whenever people are in need, no matter where they are, Wisconsin’s right there with them.”

The drive is the 6th relief drive that the station has hosted since 2017. Previous relief drives helped those impacted by Hurricanes Harvey (2017), Irma (2017), Florence (2018), Ida (2021) and Ian (2022). To date, the relief drives have raised $690,255 for the American Red Cross. WISN 12 and the American Red Cross stand ready to host another ‘WISN 12 Hurricane Relief Drive’ after Hurricane Milton hits.

MILWAUKEE — Flights from Tampa, Fort Myers, and Orlando touched down at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport Monday evening. These were some of the final flights as Hurricane Milton rolls into Florida.

Blanca Smykowski was one of the people waiting for the Florida flights to land.

“Glad you guys got out,” Blanca said as she hugged her daughter.

Bella Smykowski and her friend Nelly Korhonen got out of Tampa to escape the wrath of Hurricane Milton.

“It’s felt like the longest 24 hours,” Blanca said.

Blanca drove from Chicago to pick Bella and Nelly up. They are students at The University of Tampa.

“We had to find a flight to Chicago, and we couldn’t get a flight. Everything was unavailable. We tried a few different airlines,” Blanca explained.

Watch: Students and families land safely in Milwaukee as Hurricane Milton strengthens

Students and families land safely in Milwaukee as Hurricane Milton strengthens

The Category 5 hurricane is closing airports and prompting evacuations around the Tampa Bay area. The Tampa International Airport plans to suspend operations at 9:00 Tuesday morning due to the hurricane.

“All of the campus could feel that this one was nothing to mess around with,” Bella said. 

With tears in her eyes, Blanca is grateful she could get the girls out of Florida.

“A lot of kids unfortunately are stuck out there whose parents couldn’t get them home. I’m just glad we had the option of flying her home,” Blanca explained.

For some, the powerful storm meant cutting vacation short and preparing for the worst.

“Packed up the house, buckets underneath the furniture,” Brookfield resident, Gillian Rios said.

Gillian and Lacey Rios came home four days early from vacationing in Fort Myers. They said the rain was nonstop.

TMJ4 News

“I’m just beyond grateful and glad that we were able to get out in time,” Gillian explained.

“Our flight was on time. Nothing was delayed,” Lacey added.

Information on flights departing and arriving at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport can be found here.

It’s about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device.

Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.

Report a typo or error // Submit a news tip

CUDAHY, Wis. – A Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon runner is recovering after a car hit her during the race on Sunday, Oct. 6.

It all happened shortly after 11 a.m., on South Lake Drive in Cudahy. Police say the driver had a medical emergency.

It was supposed to be a morning of setting personal records.

SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News

But for one runner, the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon took a tragic turn.

Cudahy police say during the marathon a vehicle hit a 28-year-old runner.

It happened before 11:30 a.m. near Henry and South Lake Drive, across from Aurora St. Luke’s Hospital.

Police say a 68-year-old Waterford woman driving southbound experienced a medical emergency. She sideswiped another vehicle, causing a rollover.

Police say the woman then hit the runner before then coming to a stop near the woods.

“These are obviously incidents we never want to see happen in any event, any live event,” said Jen Puente from the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon.

Neighbors say the southbound lanes were open to traffic, but the northbound lanes were closed for the race and the runner was alone.

There were no hard barriers blocking cars from getting close to the course.

“There were cones along the race route to indicate the race route, along with signage, public awareness and officials along the course,” added Puente. “The Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon team will continue debriefing and looking at options to ensure runner safety not just next year but perpetuity.”

The runner and two drivers involved were taken to the hospital.

One vehicle was on its side

Advertisement

FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android.

Puente provided an update on the runner who survived but never reached the finish line.

“The runner was released from the hospital and is at home recuperating and recovering,” said Puente.

Police say the runner who was hit is from Medford, Wisconsin, which is in the northern part of the state.

FOX6 is working to get an update on the others involved in this incident.