Gov. Walker: Announces blizzard disaster aid

Contact: Cullen Werwie, 608-267-7303

Approved for 10 Counties

Madison – Governor Scott Walker announced today that federal disaster funds have been approved for 10 Wisconsin counties to supplement emergency response and cleanup efforts to the blizzard that hit southern Wisconsin in early February. The eligible counties named in the federal disaster declaration are Dane, Dodge, Grant, Iowa, Kenosha, Lafayette, Milwaukee, Racine, Walworth and Washington.

“The cost for snow plowing and other emergency response efforts during the blizzard was over $9.5 million,” said Governor Walker. “I am pleased we were successful in obtaining this federal assistance for our local and county jurisdictions.”

The major winter storm began on January 31 and continued through February 3, 2011, blanketing southern Wisconsin with record or near-record snowfall and blizzard conditions.

Under the declaration, the 10 counties are eligible for federal funding to pay part of the cost for emergency protective measures undertaken as a result of the storm. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will provide reimbursement to local and state agencies for 75% of the total eligible costs, the state of Wisconsin will cover 12.5%, and the remaining 12.5% is the applicant’s share. This assistance is only for local and state agencies, not for individuals or private businesses.

The disaster aid will cover equipment usage, contracts, and personnel overtime related to plowing snow. In addition, sanding and salting, search and rescue, shelter operations, and police and fire department response will also be eligible for reimbursement.

Wisconsin Emergency Management will work with FEMA in implementing the declaration. Local communities will be contacted by their county emergency management office for further information on how to apply for the federal assistance.