FEMA rejects Wisconsin's appeal for public aid in aftermath of historic flooding
WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- Wisconsin's request for federal disaster relief following last year's historic flooding has again been denied.
Communities throughout the state have millions of dollars' worth of damage following last August's severe storms.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) previously approved disaster relief for individual applicants and households but denied the state's request for public assistance to Door, Grant, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, and Waukesha counties.
Governor Tony Evers appealed the decision in November, calling on the Trump administration to reverse the decision.
Monday, Feb. 9, Gov. Evers and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said the state's appeal for funding was denied, meaning local communities will not qualify for emergency funding to fix damage to public infrastructure.
A letter from FEMA to the governor reads in part:
"After thorough review of all the information contained in your initial request and appeal, it has been reaffirmed that the designation of the Public Assistance program under FEMA-4892-DR is not warranted. Therefore, your appeal for Public Assistance is denied."
Exec. Crowley released the following statement Monday afternoon:
“Today's decision by the Trump administration to deny the State of Wisconsin’s appeal for Public Assistance -- once again, without providing a reason -- is deeply disappointing. My administration has worked to rebuild and recover after last summer’s historic storms and flooding. Without federal assistance, the financial burden of these public infrastructure repairs falls to local governments to cover. Communities rely on intergovernmental partnerships in times of crisis, and this decision by the Trump administration erodes that public trust. To move forward, my administration will continue working with the State of Wisconsin, our municipalities, and community partners to identify responsible funding solutions to rebuild our roads, bridges, parks, and public buildings. Our residents should not be forced to shoulder the full cost of disasters beyond their control, and we will continue advocating for the resources our community deserves.”
Gov. Evers renewed his call for the Trump administration to reverse this decision Monday, saying in part, "We will continue to advocate to the Trump Administration and our federal partners that Wisconsin needs these resources to rebuild and recover, and we will continue to do what we can to support our local partners however we can in the meantime."
In a statement to CBS 58, Wauwatosa Mayor Dennis McBride said the city is currently utilizing donation funds to assist in repairing the damage to Hart Park.
This remains a fluid situation, and assessments are ongoing to better understand the full scope of repairs needed,” McBride said. “No recommendations have been made regarding funding, and City Council has not provided direction on next steps.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said he was disappointed in the decision and said he is open to discussions in the Wisconsin State Legislature to financially support families.
“I’m disappointed that the federal government did not continue to do what it does in many places across the country and that is when you have a catastrophic event,” Vos said. “I am certainly open to seeing if there’s something the state can do, but again this is a federal responsibility, it’s not something the State of Wisconsin has done in the past, but if there’s a vehicle for us to look at it, I’m certainly open to that idea.”
A FEMA spokesperson shared the following statement Tuesday:
“Just like all declaration requests, FEMA follows the Stafford Act and its regulations to support the determination process on whether federal assistance is warranted to supplement state, local, tribal, or territorial efforts and capabilities. FEMA worked closely with the state of Wisconsin to collect and analyze damage information. The law and regulations require FEMA to review each request closely and consider the unique circumstances of disaster-caused damages as well as state and local capacity. This decision just like all disaster requests was based on policy not politics.
FEMA remains focused on empowering states to take the lead on their community response and recovery activities and is dedicated to providing support when federal assistance is warranted.”