Gov. Tony Evers requests presidential disaster declaration for Wisconsin flooding

Gov. Tony Evers formally requested a presidential disaster declaration from President Donald Trump Wednesday, seeking federal help for flooding damage in six Wisconsin counties.

According to a statement from Evers, the request came after a joint preliminary damage assessment by Wisconsin Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency found storms and flooding on Aug. 9-10 caused more than $33 million in damages in Milwaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties.

The request includes Milwaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties for the FEMA Individual Assistance Program. It also requests FEMA’s Public Assistance Program for Door, Grant, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties.

Representatives of FEMA arrived in Wisconsin last week to work with the state on the assessment after a request from Evers in the days after the storm. According to the governor’s office, that assessment found there were 1,500 homes that were destroyed or that sustained major damage.

Many of the people who lost homes or suffered serious damage in the flooding found their insurance would not cover their losses.

“Having been on the ground to see firsthand some of the areas that have been hit hardest by the disastrous storms and flash floods that have affected folks across our state, it’s clear it’s going to take a significant amount of time and resources to recover,” Evers said in his statement.

Evers urged Trump to act quickly, saying families, businesses and community agencies are counting on the help.

If Trump approves a declaration for the FEMA Individual Assistance Program, residents could receive federal help for home repairs or replacement. A public assistance declaration would give state, local and tribal governments access to federal grants to help cover the costs of things like emergency response, debris removal and repairs to public infrastructure.

FEMA representatives will return to Wisconsin in September to conduct a joint preliminary assessment of public infrastructure damage. Initial damage reports collected by the state indicate more than $43 million in public sector damage across six counties.

The state is asking that people who have not yet reported damage caused by the flooding do so by calling 211 or by visiting the 211 Wisconsin website.