Local governments in Wisconsin, not individuals, will get federal disaster aid following last month’s rain.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will help communities in Grant and Milwaukee counties to pay for flood-related costs in areas struck by severe storms, tornadoes, torrential rain and flooding. As part of Governor Jim Doyle’s formal request for a federal disaster declaration, he asked FEMA to help individuals, families and businesses affected from severe weather in three counties — Grant, Milwaukee, and Waukesha.
Wisconsin Emergency Management’s Lori Getter says, “That was denied, according to the summary sheet that we’ve received, and we’ve been notified this afternoon that Governor Doyle will repeal that decision.”
Getter says much of the water damage for individuals was in basements – FEMA was looking for damage to the first level of homes, or destroyed homes. Severe storms moved through southern Wisconsin beginning on July 22, producing widespread flooding.
While communities do clean-up duty, Getter says, “Local governments will apply for aid; they’ll get 75-percent reimbursed by FEMA and 12.5-percent by the state.” Getter says checks could start arriving within a few weeks.
Meanwhile, Getter says Wisconsin Emergency Management is helping folks in West Central Wisconsin, after torrential rains ripped through the area Tuesday night, causing some flooding. “Flash flooding, there were a lot of road closures, bridge closures, there was an evacuation of assisted living facility … we’re working with the local and trying to provide any assistance they need at this time.” She says there were no injuries, no fatalities reported.