Evers requests federal disaster declaration after storms cause more than $33 million in damage

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Gov. Tony Evers has formally requested a presidential disaster declaration from President Donald Trump following severe storms and flooding across Wisconsin. The request, filed Wednesday, Aug. 27, seeks Federal Emergency Management Agency aid for six counties.

Milwaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties are included in the request for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program. Door, Grant, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties are included in the request for FEMA’s Public Assistance program.

"Having been on the ground to see firsthand some of the areas that have been hit hardest by the disastrous storms and flash floods that have affected folks across our state, it’s clear it’s going to take a significant amount of time and resources to recover," Evers said in his request to Trump.

But among the disasters that were declared so far this year, it took an average of about two months to get to that decision.

Andrew Rumbach, a senior fellow at the Urban Institute, said, "They seem to be approving them in batches, which is not the same as it was before."

Rumbach said disaster requests used to be considered on a case-by-case basis. But now, Wisconsin's request could be considered along with others. Back in May, nine previously submitted disasters were declared one day, and another seven were declared on one day in July.

FEMA's recent damage assessments found more than 1500 residences damaged or destroyed at an estimated cost of more than $33 million.

Additionally, there is an estimated $43 million damage to public property.

But no one knows when the president will decide.

So far this year, President Trump has made 26 major disaster declarations. They came an average of 58 days after each event.

Rumbach said, "That's really difficult. Because it takes longer and it puts people in a holding pattern that's extremely painful when they need the resources."

Rumbach said aid flows almost instantly for big events. It took one day to declare the California wildfires a disaster and it took four days to declare the Texas floods a disaster.

But in states that experience disasters much more infrequently, it can often take longer.

Rumbach said, "When you have an event like this one that's in the millions of dollars, and not the billions, it's a lot less obvious."

If it is approved, federal aid will fall into three categories:

• Individual assistance
• Public assistance
• Hazard mitigation, which tries to reduce loss from future disasters

When the money actually reaches people depends on the program.

For individuals, "They're going to immediately be eligible to go apply for funds from FEMA. And they'll meet with someone from FEMA who will go through the different programs," Rumbach said.

That usually happens quickly, he added, possibly even within a week after a declaration is made.

But public assistance for roads, parks, and infrastructure repair is a reimbursement process that can be long, slow, and frustrating.

Rumbach told us, "We call it the disaster after the disaster. And that's one of those areas that, on a bipartisan basis, we know needs reform."

Rumbach said they have a lot of research that people fall through the cracks after a disaster and do not receive assistance. So he said it's critical local governments reach out to as many people as possible. "This is their taxpayer money that they have paid out, and now is coming back to them. It's like an insurance policy."

The full declaration can be found below: