Wisconsin Ag Connection - Aid to Wisconsin Residents Already Passes $1 Million

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Aid to Wisconsin Residents Already Passes $1 Million
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 06/23/2008

Governor Jim Doyle over the weekend announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has declared a state of disaster for Dane, Juneau and Ozaukee counties, bringing the number of Wisconsin counties where individual assistance is available to 22. Last week, federal assistance was made available to those living in Columbia, Crawford, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Iowa, Kenosha, Marquette, Milwaukee, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sheboygan, Vernon, Washington, Waukesha and Winnebago counties and is conducting damage assessments to allow declarations in other counties.

"FEMA is working hard to expand individual assistance to people across southern Wisconsin who have been hit hard by floods and severe weather," Doyle said. "I thank them and all those who are working together to recover and rebuild. We are committed to getting people the help they need."

Doyle declared a state of emergency in 30 counties after severe weather this month brought record floods and other damage across southern Wisconsin. FEMA is in ongoing damage assessments in those counties to make disaster declarations.

Meanwhile, the agency has announced that Wisconsin residents affected by all the recent severe weather have already received more than $1 million in FEMA grants for temporary housing and home repairs. The U.S. Small Business Administration is processing requests from homeowners, renters and business owners for low-interest disaster-recovery loans. In the near future, another category of FEMA disaster aid, Other Needs Assistance, will help residents pay for such things as transportation, medical and dental expenses, moving and storage fees, and replacement or repair of personal property.

Homeowners, renters and business owners in Wisconsin counties that received a presidential disaster declaration for recent severe storms, flooding and tornadoes may register or update their information by calling a FEMA toll-free registration number at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 for those with speech or hearing impairment.

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