Wisconsin Governor Doyle Statement on Presidential Disaster Declaration in Five Wisconsin Counties

August 26, 2007 -- In response to Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle’s August 23rd request for expedited federal assistance, President Bush today issued a disaster declaration in five southwestern Wisconsin counties, making federal assistance available to individuals and businesses affected by the severe storms and floods in Crawford, La Crosse, Richland, Sauk and Vernon counties.

Governor Doyle made the following statement:

“These storms and floods have destroyed property, but Wisconsin communities have pulled together, ensured the safety of one another, and started the difficult road ahead. The Presidential declaration will allow many of our families and businesses to access the assistance they need to recover.

“I know that I speak on behalf of all the people of Wisconsin when I say that my thoughts and prayers remain with the families in Madison who lost loved ones and with families whose lives have been badly affected by these floods. We will continue to do everything possible to make sure the people and communities affected get the help they need to make a quick recovery.

“From the first hours after the flooding began, hundreds of first responders were mobilized to ensure that no one was in harm’s way. Law enforcement, firefighters, National Guard personnel, and emergency management officials did their jobs flawlessly, performing acts of heroism that saved lives.

“Within 24 hours FEMA officials were on the ground working with local and state officials to support our quick recovery and efficiently assess the damage. I thank FEMA for their cooperation and support, and I am confident that they will continue to assist Wisconsin as we rebuild our communities across the state.”

Individuals who suffered financial loss as a result of the flood are now eligible to apply for federal grants through FEMA. Federal low interest loan programs are now also available to both individuals and businesses for costs associated with rebuilding and repairs. Federal crisis counseling and disaster unemployment assistance are now also available, as a result of this declaration.

FEMA Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) teams will continue this week cataloging damage across southern Wisconsin. In Vernon, Crawford, Richland, Sauk, and La Crosse counties, PDA teams will work Tuesday through Thursday to catalogue public infrastructure losses, as well as costs incurred by state and local government in responding to the floods. Additionally, FEMA PDA teams will work Monday through Wednesday in Dane, Grant, Green, Jefferson, Kenosha, Racine and Rock counties to identify and catalogue losses incurred by individuals and businesses in those counties.

Once the PDA process is complete, state officials will work with FEMA to amend the declaration to include additional counties, and provide federal public assistance grants for losses to public infrastructure and costs incurred in responding to the flood emergency.

Source: Wisconsin Governor