Governor Scott Walker is asking for a federal disaster declaration for ten counties that were hit by heavy snow between January 31st and February second. The request covers Dane, Dodge, Grant, Iowa, Kenosha, Lafayette, Milwaukee, Racine, Walworth and Washington Counties.
The Governor says the blizzard, which dumped almost two feet of snow on southern parts of the state, forced emergency responders and snowplow drivers to work long days and nights to keep the roads safe. Walker says the cost of that response hit many local budgets hard.
Federal officials working with the state estimate the response and clean-up associated with the blizzard cost around $9.5 million in the ten counties. A declaration would allow those governments to be reimbursed by FEMA for up to 75-percent of eligible costs.