(MADISON – WTMJ) The Federal Emergency Management Agency denies an appeal filed by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers to overturn the federal government’s rejection of tens of millions of dollars in public infrastructure relief connected to last summer’s historic flooding.
The letter denying the appeal was sent by FEMA to the Governor’s office February 7, indicating the prior denial “has been reaffirmed” following a review of information contained in both the state’s initial request and the appeal formally filed November 18.
“The Trump Administration’s decision to reject our appeal—again—and without any explanation as to why Wisconsin’s request for FEMA assistance has once again been denied is ridiculous,” said Governor Evers in a statement, while also calling on the President to overturn the decision.
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley called the denial “deeply disappointing” in a statement.
“Without federal assistance, the financial burden of these public infrastructure repairs falls to local governments to cover. Communities rely on intergovernmental partnerships in times of crisis, and this decision by the Trump administration erodes that public trust,” said Crowley. The County Executive added he will continue working with agencies “to identify responsible funding solutions to rebuild our roads, bridges, parks, and public buildings.”
The appeal stems from FEMA’s decision in October to deny the state over $26 million in federal aid for six Wisconsin counties impacted by last August’s historic flooding through the Public Assistance program. The program provides supplemental grants to state, local, and tribal governments to fix public infrastructure. At the time, FEMA indicated that “based on preliminary damage assessments, public assistance for Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington, Ozaukee, Door and Grant counties is not warranted”.
In September, President Trump approved nearly $30 million in flood relief for individuals and small businesses. As of last fall, FEMA had distributed over $123 million to Milwaukee County residents alone.
Following the denial of funds from the Public Assistance program, the President also denied Wisconsin’s application for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding; an appeal of that denial remains outstanding.
The state estimates damage to public buildings and infrastructure in the six counties during the floods was more than $43 million.
