President Donald Trump announced approval of $29.8 million in relief for Wisconsin to recover from last month’s flooding.
So far, the president’s disaster declaration applies to Milwaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties, but not Door, Grant or Ozaukee, according to Gov. Tony Evers’ office.
The state’s request for aid to benefit those additional three counties was still under review.
Trump announced through a social media post yesterday afternoon that he had notified U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Oshkosh, he had approved the funding. Trump wrote it was his honor “to deliver BIG for Wisconsinites!”
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Johnson thanked Trump on X “for continuing to deliver BIG TIME for Wisconsinites.”
U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, said in a statement she would continue to closely monitor the situation “to make sure Wisconsin gets everything we need to be on the road to recovery and the whole-of-government recovery effort does right by all Wisconsinites.”
Evers last night announced his office had received official word from the Trump administration hours later that the president had approved a disaster declaration only for individuals and households in Milwaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties.
Evers also had asked for those three counties and Door, Grant and Ozaukee to be eligible for the federal government’s public assistance program. The guv’s office said Evers’ request for that help to support emergency work and repair or replacement of damaged facilities in the six counties was still under review.
The Trump administration is also still reviewing the request for assistance under a program that helps support flood mitigation measures.
In all, the preliminary damage estimates include 1,500 residential structures destroyed or damaged with costs of $33 million, as well as more than $43 million in public sector costs across the six counties.
“I want to again thank the volunteers, organizations, and communities who are helping our neighbors, friends, and families recover, but our work is not done,” Evers said. “I will continue to urge the Trump Administration to approve the remainder of my request, and I will keep fighting to make sure Wisconsin receives every resource that is needed and available.
