Gov. Evers requests disaster declaration from Trump to assist with recovery efforts after destructive April storms and flooding

Gov. Tony Evers today announced he has formally requested a disaster declaration from President Trump in response to severe storms and flooding in April that caused widespread destruction throughout the state of Wisconsin. Gov. Evers’ request includes the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Individual Assistance for affected residents and families in 19 counties and one Tribal Nation, FEMA’s Public Assistance for emergency work and infrastructure repairs in 14 counties and one Tribal Nation, and FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to help reduce the impact of future disasters for the entire state.  

The governor’s request comes as, in April, he announced his request for FEMA to assist the state in conducting joint preliminary damage assessments. After assessments of more than 1,570 residential properties, Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) and FEMA determined that the total damage costs of those properties were estimated at more than $9.8 million. The joint preliminary damage assessment for Public Assistance found more than $17.6 million in public sector 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,” said Gov. Evers. “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.”

This request includes the following counties for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program: Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Manitowoc, Marathon, Milwaukee, Outagamie, Racine, Rock, Sauk, Vernon, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, and Winnebago counties. The Oneida Nation is also included in this request.    

The following counties were requested to receive eligible funding through FEMA’s Public Assistance program: Bayfield, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kewanee, Manitowoc, Marathon, Outagamie, Racine, Rock, Sauk, Vernon, and Waupaca counties. The Oneida Nation is included in this request as well.

The governor’s latest request for federal support for Wisconsin comes as President Trump and his administration have still failed to justify their denial of federal Public Assistance to help communities respond to and recover from similar severe weather and flooding that occurred across the state last summer, causing over $27 million in damages to roads, public buildings, utilities, and community infrastructure despite the governor’s multiple attempts imploring the Trump Administration to reverse its decision.

That’s why, following last month’s severe weather, Gov. Evers sent a letter to members of Wisconsin’s Congressional delegation, urging lawmakers to stand up for Wisconsin communities, underscoring that public and persistent efforts to help advocate for Wisconsin to receive assistance from federal partners, including President Trump, will be key to securing the disaster aid needed. 

Notably, Gov. Evers’ request comes as recent reporting indicates that it is three times harder for Democratic-led states to get disaster funding under the Trump Administration than Republican-led states, with the Trump Administration rejecting disaster aid for Democratic-led states at the highest rate in the history of FEMA.