Emergency Drying & Power Response in Milwaukee, WI: High School Flood Recovery

When severe storms cause widespread flooding, schools and public facilities face not only property damage but also pressure to reopen quickly.

Following a massive storm that dropped more than 10 inches of rain in just a few hours, a public high school in Milwaukee, WI, suffered extensive water damage. Working alongside restoration contractors, Garrett McKenzie provided rapid dehumidification and temporary power solutions that stabilized conditions and helped the facility prepare for the upcoming school year.

The Situation

A record-setting summer storm hit Milwaukee on a Saturday, flooding low-lying areas across the city. Among the hardest hit was a large public high school where standing water impacted classrooms, hallways, and campus facilities.

A local restoration contractor immediately mobilized, but the scale of the damage required large-scale drying equipment and reliable power distribution to accelerate recovery efforts.

Key challenges included:

Standing water in multiple building areas

Long hallways and large interior spaces

Coordinating drying efforts across an expansive campus

The Response

Within hours of the call, Garrett McKenzie mobilized a 30-ton crane truck loaded with desiccant dehumidifiers and a generator.

Additional service vehicles were dispatched to assist with unloading, staging, and setup.

The equipment package included:

Dehumidification: Two 5,000 CFM desiccant dehumidifiers

Temporary Power: One 365kW generator with distribution cables and accessories

Logistics: Over 2,500 feet of lay-flat ducting to deliver dry air throughout the building

Our field technicians created custom entry points for ducting and carefully routed airflows to reach impacted areas across the school.

The Execution

Installation began immediately, with the crane truck placing heavy equipment while technicians ran nearly one-third of a mile of lay-flat ducting through interior hallways.

Once the generator and power distribution were online, the dehumidifiers operated continuously, pumping thousands of cubic feet of dry air into the school around the clock.

For over two weeks, equipment ran 24/7 to control moisture and stabilize conditions. Restoration crews were able to safely remove damaged materials, clean affected spaces, and begin repairs with confidence that the environment would remain dry.

The Result

Thanks to Garrett McKenzie’s fast response and scalable equipment, the high school was able to complete its restoration efforts in time for classes to resume just weeks later.

By delivering both power and dehumidification, Garrett McKenzie eliminated the need for multiple vendors, streamlined the response process, and provided the restoration contractor with a one-stop solution for large-loss recovery.

Why Restoration Professionals Choose Garrett McKenzie

• Temporary Power Solutions: Generators up to 2,000kW, full power distribution, ATS, transformers, portable fuel tanks
• Climate Control: Desiccant & LGR dehumidifiers, temporary heating, AC cooling, DX heating units
• Logistics & Transportation: Transport-ready fleet with nationwide rapid deployment, including crane trucks
• Field Support: Site-specific sizing, setup, and experienced on-site technicians available 24/7/365

We understand the pace, pressure, and unpredictability of disaster recovery. That’s why our entire process — from fleet readiness to technician training — is built around rolling heavy when our customers need us most.

Partner With Garrett McKenzie

When disaster strikes, time matters. Garrett McKenzie delivers emergency drying, temporary power, and climate control solutions that help businesses recover faster.

📞 Call us today at 877-469-1600
📧 Email: rentals@garrettmckenzie.com
🌐 Visit: www.garrettmckenzie.com

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