MADISON – Governor Doyle announced today that 14 Wisconsin counties are eligible for federal disaster assistance for debris removal, emergency response services related to the flooding, and repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads and buildings.
“I want to thank FEMA for their swift response to assist Wisconsin communities and families ravaged by flooding,” Governor Doyle said. “This funding will provide critical support to community efforts to rebuild and repair public facilities damaged by this month’s severe storms.”
Named in the federal disaster declaration for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance program are Adams, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Grant, Iowa, Lafayette, Monroe, Milwaukee, Richland, Sauk, Vernon and Winnebago Counties. Governor Doyle will request additional counties for the public assistance program when damage assessments are completed.
Earlier this week, Governor Doyle joined three Midwestern Governors in asking President Bush to reduce from 25 percent to 10 percent the non-federal share of the Public Assistance costs. Reducing Wisconsin’s public share will greatly alleviate the enormous stress on local and state governments caused by multiple disasters.
Under the current Public Assistance program, FEMA will provide reimbursement to local and state agencies and certain private non-profit agencies for 75 percent of the total eligible costs. The State of Wisconsin will cover 12.5 percent and the remaining 12.5 percent is the applicant’s share. The disaster aid will cover equipment usage, debris removal, search and rescue operations, emergency protective measures and repair work to public infrastructure.
Wisconsin Emergency Management will work with FEMA in implementing the declaration. Local communities will be contacted by their county emergency management office for further information.
Wisconsin has received a federal disaster declaration for individual assistance in 28 counties. To date, over 21,000 individuals and businesses from the declared counties have applied for assistance in grants and low interest loans and more than $11.8 million in grants for temporary housing and home repairs have been issued to those impacted by the flooding.
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