Wisconsin’s Plea for Federal Aid After Devastating April Storms
In a significant move to assist Wisconsin communities battered by severe weather, the state’s congressional representatives have formally requested a disaster declaration from President Donald Trump. The storms that hit in April inflicted over $27 million in damages, prompting urgent appeals for federal intervention.
The request, articulated through a letter to the president, was endorsed by all eight of Wisconsin’s House members and Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin. Notably absent from the list of signatories was Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson.
Governor Tony Evers had already petitioned for federal assistance, citing the “widespread destruction” caused by the storms, which included hail, tornadoes, winds, and flooding. The appeal underscores the need for aid to help communities cope with the extensive damage.
In their communication, the state’s federal lawmakers conveyed “strong support” for the disaster declaration, emphasizing that the extent of flooding has left rural areas grappling with “unprecedented damage” beyond their ability to manage independently.
Joint evaluations by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Wisconsin Emergency Management have reported nearly $10 million in damages to over 1,500 residential structures across 19 counties and the Oneida Nation. Public infrastructure damages have surpassed $17 million, as noted in the letter.
The letter to President Trump expressed a commitment to collaboration: “This delegation is committed to working with your administration, FEMA, and Wisconsin Emergency Management to guarantee that Wisconsin’s residents and communities get the assistance they need.”
Leading the charge, U.S. Rep. Tony Wied, R-De Pere, shared on social media his role in spearheading the letter initiative.
Communities in northeast Wisconsin, including New London and Shiocton, were severely affected, leading to evacuations. Shiocton, located in Outagamie County, and New London, spanning Outagamie and Waupaca counties, suffered verified public damages exceeding $1.4 million and $2 million respectively, according to the governor’s letter.
Janesville, in Rock County, also experienced significant flooding, disrupting roads and leading to school relocations. Damages in Rock County are reported to be over $11 million. U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Janesville, emphasized the urgency of accessing resources for affected families, stating, “Timely action is critical.”
The final decision on the disaster declaration rests with the president, with no defined legal timeline for a response. This request follows a previous denial of federal recovery support by the Trump administration for similar damages.
Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson expressed optimism in an interview, noting the bipartisan nature of the request: “We’ve made a very compelling case. We have put politics aside.”
