Gov. Tony Evers to appeal Trump administration’s denial of disaster relief for counties impacted by August floods

MADISON, Wis. (CIVIC MEDIA) – Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced Wednesday that he will appeal the Trump administration’s decision to deny disaster relief to counties that were impacted by severe flooding in early August.

According to a news release from the Office of the Governor, the appeals follow the federal government’s decision to decline Wisconsin’s applications for both the Hazard Mitigation and Public Assistance grant programs.

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provides funding for state and local projects that aim to reduce the risks and impacts of future disasters, while the Public Assistance Program would reimburse the cost associated with damage to public infrastructure, such as roads and bridges.

“Talk about adding insult to injury. Not only did the Trump Administration deny our request for public assistance to help several communities rebuild and recover after severe weather caused over $26.5 million in damages to public infrastructure, but now, they’ve also denied our request for funding to help prevent this sort of devastation from happening again in the future,” said Evers in a statement. 

“The Trump Administration has once again told the people of Wisconsin that they are on their own, and we just can’t accept that. We will be appealing this denial, in addition to appealing the denial for public assistance funding, and we urge the Trump Administration to reconsider these decisions and work to support the families, businesses, and communities here in Wisconsin who are working to rebuild and recover.” 

Funding from the Public Assistance program would go toward the $26.5 million cost of damage in Door, Grant, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, and Waukesha counties, while the Hazard Mitigation grant would be used to ensure the state’s communities have the support they need to prevent a future disaster. Wisconsin is allotted 30 days to file an appeal, and Evers has directed Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) to provide additional justification for the state’s funding request.

Homeowners impacted by the early August floods are able to apply for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Individual Assistance Program until Wednesday, Nov. 12. Learn how to apply at the WEM website.