MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers sent a letter to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to request a Rapid Disaster Declaration in response to severe storms and flooding that occurred on July 27, 2026. The severe storms resulted in at least one confirmed EF-3 tornado in northeastern Wisconsin, along with high winds, hail, power outages, and disruptions to public water systems, causing widespread and significant damage in Winnebago, Forest, Outagamie, and Vilas Counties. Based on joint damage assessments conducted by the SBA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), state, county, and local staff, Gov. Evers has requested that Winnebago County receive federal disaster loans from the SBA. If approved, these federal loans would be available for Wisconsin homeowners, renters, businesses, and non-profits impacted in Winnebago County.
“The folks in Winnebago County have shown up for one another and persevered in the months since the July storms, but we know that goodwill, volunteers, and hard work alone won’t fix the destruction caused. Now, we need our federal partners to step up,” said Gov. Evers. “As a state, we are doing everything we can to ensure our families, neighbors, and communities can recover, and I am urging the Trump Administration to do the right thing and provide this needed relief to support Wisconsin’s businesses, families, and communities.”
Last month, Gov. Evers announced he had formally requested a disaster declaration from President Donald J. Trump in response to the severe storms, although the president has yet to respond to the governor’s request. The governor’s latest request for aid comes as President Trump and the Trump Administration have repeatedly come under fire for slashing funding for emergency preparedness and response at FEMA while also prioritizing Republican-run states to receive disaster relief. Recent reporting indicates that it is three times harder for Democratic-led states to get disaster funding under the Trump Administration than Republican-led states, with the Trump Administration rejecting disaster aid for Democratic-led states at the highest rate in the history of FEMA.
Gov. Evers previously requested FEMA assistance to conduct joint preliminary damage assessments. After assessments of more than 2,346 residential properties, Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) and FEMA determined more than $8.2 million would be needed in FEMA assistance for homeowners and renters, though that amount will likely be higher should Gov. Evers’ request be approved. The joint preliminary damage assessment for Public Assistance estimated more than $13.8 million would be needed in assistance for public sector damage. Based on joint damage assessments, the damage in Winnebago County exceeds the SBA’s criteria for approval.
The governor has been steadfast in his efforts to ensure the communities impacted by these severe weather events have the support and resources they need. Gov. Evers declared a state of emergency on July 28 due to the severe storms, and on July 30, the governor activated the Wisconsin National Guard to support Winnebago County’s ongoing recovery response after devastating and destructive storms. Following his activation of the Wisconsin National Guard, the governor toured storm damage in Menasha, where he met and spoke with local officials, neighbors, first responders, and volunteers about their tireless efforts to restore safety, reconnect families, and begin the difficult process of rebuilding their communities. The Evers Administration and WEM have fulfilled requests for state aid and assistance from local county emergency management, in addition to requesting FEMA assistance to help the state in conducting joint preliminary damage assessments.
Gov. Evers also signed Executive Order #303 declaring a period of abnormal economic disruption in Outagamie, Winnebago, Forest, and Vilas Counties in response to the July 27 severe weather. As families and communities continue to rebuild and recover, especially those who are displaced from their homes, Gov. Evers directed the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to enforce prohibitions against price gouging on everyday essentials and lodging.
If the SBA Rapid Declaration request is granted, homeowners may be eligible for up to $500,000 in property loans to replace or repair their primary residence for losses not fully covered by insurance or other sources. Renters or homeowners may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances damaged or destroyed by the disaster.
Up to $2 million would be available for qualified business owners or most non-profit organizations to cover disaster losses for real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. More information on the SBA Disaster Loans can be found at sba.gov/disaster.
An online version of this release is available here.
