Wisconsin Governor Doyle Seeks Disaster Relief for Record Snowfall for Additional Counties

April 04, 2008 -- MADISON – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide financial relief to Kenosha, Lafayette, Racine, and Waukesha Counties to help supplement emergency response efforts to the February 5-6 winter storm that produced record snowfalls.

Snowplows at work near Beloit, Wisconsin: Photo by OldOnliner (CC)

Last month, the Governor announced that federal disaster funds were made available for eight Wisconsin counties. The state originally requested 13 counties be declared eligible for the assistance, but Kenosha, Lafayette, Racine, and Waukesha Counties were not included in the initial snow emergency declaration. Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) Administrator Johnnie Smith has provided additional documentation to FEMA requesting the additions.

“We were pleased to secure federal assistance last month for eight counties, but are requesting additional assistance to help these four counties that were hit hard by the storm,” Governor Doyle said. “This winter has been tough for Wisconsin, and has strained many crews who have worked long days and nights to keep the roads clear and safe. I will continue to work to secure federal assistance for these four counties also affected by February’s record snowfall.”

WEM officials have been working closely with local governments, the National Weather Service, and FEMA in hopes of adding these four counties to the emergency declaration.

So far, more than 200 local governments from the originally declared counties have applied for federal assistance. Those counties named in the March 19 declaration are Dane, Dodge, Green, Jefferson, Milwaukee, Rock, Walworth, and Washington Counties.

Under the emergency declaration, FEMA will provide reimbursement to local and state agencies for 75 percent of the total eligible costs, the State of Wisconsin will cover 12.5 percent, and the remaining 12.5 percent is the applicant’s share. The disaster aid will cover equipment usage, contracts, and personnel overtime related to emergency services in dealing with the snow for a 48-hour period. These are the crucial hours when work crews clear snow from emergency routes and roads to critical facilities to permit the passage of emergency vehicles. Related emergency protective measures such as sanding and salting, search and rescue, shelter operations, and police and fire department response will also be eligible for reimbursement.

Source: Wisconsin Governor

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