Contacts: Laura Smith, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162
Lori Getter, Wisconsin Emergency Management, 608-242-3239
FEMA Providing Federal Assistance for Buffalo, Clark, Jackson, Juneau, Marathon, Portage, Taylor, Trempealeau and Wood Counties
MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has made a major disaster declaration for nine counties, making assistance available to local units of government affected by the September floods. The assistance will help communities recover some of the costs incurred through fighting the floods, protecting citizens and repairing infrastructure
“I want to thank the Federal Emergency Management Agency for helping Wisconsin communities recover from these damaging floods,” Governor Doyle said. “Together, we will help communities throughout west and central Wisconsin quickly rebuild from this costly disaster.”
Last week, Governor Doyle formally requested a federal disaster declaration for ten Wisconsin counties hit hard by flooding. The flooding began on September 22, when a series of storms moved across the west central portion of the state. Several areas reported 4-8 inches of rain causing the Black, Trempealeau and Wisconsin Rivers to flood and eventually crest at record or near record levels in some locations
The counties named in today’s declaration are Buffalo, Clark, Jackson, Juneau, Marathon, Portage, Taylor, Trempealeau and Wood Counties. Under the program, FEMA provides 75 percent of eligible costs, while state and local agencies share 12.5 percent of the costs.
Earlier this month, officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Wisconsin Emergency Management conducted damage assessments with local officials in the impacted communities. They verified more than $7.42 million in damage to the public infrastructure.
La Crosse County was part of the original request but was not included in the declaration.
