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Gov. Evers Requests Disaster Relief Aid
Wisconsin’s governor is officially asking for a federal disaster declaration after putting the total price tag for this month’s flooding at $76 million.
Gov. Tony Evers on Wednesday made an official request of FEMA.
"A presidential declaration would ensure we receive the resources we need to support clean-up efforts and make sure communities can rebuild and recover," the governor said.
Evers said the floods in and around Milwaukee earlier this month did $33 million in damage to homes and businesses. He said at least 1,500 homes were "majorly damaged or destroyed."
The governor also said there's another "more than $43 million in public sector damage throughout six Wisconsin counties."
His disaster declaration request would cover Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, Waukesha, Grant, and Door counties, as well as a number of specific communities in each.
"Now, I'm urging President Trump to approve our request without delay to help the folks, families, and communities, who are counting on this disaster relief," Evers added.
The governor's FEMA request includes more than just damage estimates.
Wisconsin provided the federal government with flood records, and even a snapshot of the rainfall amounts from the August 9th storms.
“Some areas received more than 10 inches of rain. Much of this rain fell on impervious surfaces in urban areas, which increased local flash flooding and sewage system overflows, causing sewer back-ups into homes and businesses,” Evers wrote in his request. “The preliminary total of 14.55 inches of liquid precipitation within a 24-hour period on the northwest side of Milwaukee is under review for a possible new state record for rainfall.”
The federal disaster request comes after Gov. Evers declared a state emergency on August 11th.
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