MADISON, Wis. — Governor Tony Evers says Wisconsin will appeal the Trump administration’s decision to deny portions of the state’s request for federal disaster assistance following the severe storms and flooding that struck Wisconsin this spring.
The governor announced Friday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency denied requests for Public Assistance funding for Bayfield, Manitowoc, Marathon, and Racine counties, along with a statewide request for Hazard Mitigation funding.
FEMA wrote that damage to public infrastructure in those areas “is not of the severity and magnitude” necessary to qualify for additional federal assistance.
However, FEMA did approve Public Assistance funding for Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kewaunee, Outagamie, Rock, Vernon, and Waupaca counties, as well as the Oneida Nation.
According to the governor’s office, joint damage assessments conducted by FEMA, Wisconsin Emergency Management and local officials documented more than $20 million in eligible disaster-related damage following the April storms.
Evers sharply criticized President Donald Trump and the administration’s handling of the request.
“Donald Trump is basically telling Wisconsinites that millions of dollars in damages our communities have suffered due to tornadoes, storms, and flooding isn’t bad enough or high enough—it’s a slap in the face,” Evers said in a statement.
The governor said Wisconsin will appeal the decision and has directed Wisconsin Emergency Management to gather additional information to strengthen the state’s case.
Wisconsin has 30 days from the date of FEMA’s denial letter to file its appeal.
The funding would help local governments and certain nonprofit organizations pay for repairs to damaged public infrastructure and support projects designed to reduce damage from future natural disasters.
