(The Center Square) – Wisconsin’s congressional delegation has joined Gov. Tony Evers in requesting that the federal government grant the state a Major Disaster Declaration to make it eligible for individual and public assistance after April flooding.
The flooding is estimated to have caused $10 million in residential property damage to 1,500 structures along with $17 million in public infrastructure damage.
The April storms led to flooding that destroyed both homes and businesses. The federal government has denied public assistance to this point and Evers said that the administration has not explained the denial.
A letter was led by Rep. Tony Weid and signed by Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Reps. Bryan Steil, Mark Pocan, Derrick Van Orden, Gwen Moore, Scott Fitzgerald, Glenn Grothman and Tom Tiffany.
Sen. Ron Johnson was the only member of Wisconsin’s delegation who did not sign.
“Given the magnitude of damage, we urge you to issue a Major Disaster Declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act and readily make available the Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation Grants to Wisconsinites in need,” the letter addressed to Trump stated.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency responded swiftly to a prior request and worked with Wisconsin Emergency Management to estimate the damage.
“I’ve visited communities impacted by this spring’s severe weather, and in doing so, I’ve not only seen the devastation and destruction these storms left behind but also the strength and resilience of Wisconsinites across the state,” Evers said in a statement. “I’m grateful Wisconsin Emergency Management and FEMA’s work identified and confirmed our need for federal assistance so that we can continue to rebuild homes, restore infrastructure, and aid recovery efforts. Federal support is essential to helping communities rebuild and recover, and I’m urging the president to meet this moment with the urgency it requires and ensure affected individuals, families, and businesses receive this critical assistance as quickly as possible.”
Individual assistance is requested for residents in Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Manitowoc, Marathon, Milwaukee, Outagamie, Racine, Rock, Sauk, Vernon, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, and Winnebago counties along with the Oneida Nation.
The request includes public assistance for Bayfield, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kewanee, Manitowoc, Marathon, Outagamie, Racine, Rock, Sauk, Vernon and Waupaca counties along with the Oneida Nation.
