Wisconsin Ag Connection - Walker Requests SBA Disaster Declaration After July Floods

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Walker Requests SBA Disaster Declaration After July Floods
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 08/16/2017

Gov. Scott Walker is asking the U.S. Small Business Administration to declare Kenosha, Racine and Walworth Counties as disaster areas after widespread flooding in July caused substantial damage to the area. An SBA disaster declaration would provide low-interest loans to eligible individuals and businesses affected by the floods.

"The July floods caused damage to many homes and businesses in southeast Wisconsin and that's why we're reaching out to SBA for assistance," Walker said. "We're going to do all we can to help the families and business owners who were affected, and I thank everyone who was involved in the response and recovery efforts."

On the night of July 11, more than eight inches of rain fell in southeast Wisconsin causing flash floods. The waters impacted thousands of homes and businesses, closed major roads and bridges, damaged dams and other infrastructure, and caused the Fox River to rise to a record flood stage in Burlington in Racine County and New Munster in Kenosha County. There were no serious injuries.

Walker's office says a preliminary damage assessment conducted by the SBA, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Wisconsin Emergency Management and emergency management directors from the affected counties found the state would not meet the threshold for FEMA's Individual Assistance Program. However, the initial assessment indicated the state would be eligible for SBA assistance.

Meanwhile, the governor's request also include the contiguous counties of Jefferson, Milwaukee, Rock and Waukesha Counties.

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