New London flooding, April 17, 2026. PC: Fox 11 Online
(WTAQ-WLUK) — Governor Tony Evers says he formally requested a disaster declaration from President Trump in response to severe storms and destructive flooding in April.
The governor’s request comes as Wisconsin Emergency Management and FEMA joint preliminary damage assessment determined more than $27 million in damages.
Evers’ request includes the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Individual Assistance for affected residents and families in 19 counties and one Tribal Nation, FEMA’s Public Assistance for emergency work and infrastructure repairs in 14 counties and one Tribal Nation, and FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to help reduce the impact of future disasters for the entire state.
In April, Evers asked FEMA to assist the state in conducting joint preliminary damage assessments. After assessments of more than 1,570 residential properties, WEM and FEMA determined that the total damage costs of those properties were estimated at more than $9.8 million. The joint preliminary damage assessment for Public Assistance found more than $17.6 million in public sector damage.
“I’ve visited communities impacted by this spring’s severe weather, and in doing so, I’ve not only seen the devastation and destruction these storms left behind but also the strength and resilience of Wisconsinites across the state,” said Gov. Evers. “I’m grateful Wisconsin Emergency Management and FEMA’s work identified and confirmed our need for federal assistance so that we can continue to rebuild homes, restore infrastructure, and aid recovery efforts. Federal support is essential to helping communities rebuild and recover, and I’m urging the president to meet this moment with the urgency it requires and ensure affected individuals, families, and businesses receive this critical assistance as quickly as possible.”
This request includes the following counties for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program: Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Manitowoc, Marathon, Milwaukee, Outagamie, Racine, Rock, Sauk, Vernon, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, and Winnebago counties. The Oneida Nation is also included in this request.
The following counties were requested to receive eligible funding through FEMA’s Public Assistance program: Bayfield, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kewanee, Manitowoc, Marathon, Outagamie, Racine, Rock, Sauk, Vernon, and Waupaca counties. The Oneida Nation is included in this request as well.
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