FEMA Declares Disaster in Northwest Wisconsin Due to Flooding

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has declared a major disaster for three northwestern Wisconsin counties due to flood damage in June.

Gov. Scott Walker said Thursday that FEMA granted the disaster declaration he sought for Ashland, Bayfield, and Douglas counties as well as the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

The declaration allows local governments affected by the floods to apply for aid. The money will help communities recover some of the costs of fighting the floods and repairing infrastructure.

In a statement, Walker says he’s optimistic “that we’ll be able to rebuild communities.”

Under the program, FEMA provides 75 percent of eligible costs while state and local agencies share 12.5 percent of the costs.

Assessment teams verified more than $8.6 million in damage to public infrastructure.