Federal Funds Helping Wisconsin Recover from Storms and Flooding
Release Date: August 7, 2008
Release Number: 1768-125
» More Information on Wisconsin Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
Madison, Wis. -- Wisconsin disaster assistance now exceeds $67 million, state and federal emergency managers announced today. The monies include $44.8 million in grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for housing and other individual needs and $22.4 million in low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to homeowners, renters and business owners.
"We have made real progress helping Wisconsin residents recover from the 2008 severe storms and flooding," said Federal Coordinating Officer Dolph Diemont, who heads FEMA recovery efforts in the state. "However, with more than 100 new applications for disaster aid being received each day and with disaster grants to individuals being approved at a current rate of $400,000 a day, we still have a ways to go."
"Anyone whose property was damaged by the storms and ongoing flooding between June 5 and July 24 in the 30 declared counties has until Sept. 15 to register for assistance," said Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator Johnnie Smith. "We urge residents not to miss out on available assistance."
Recovery summary as of close of business Aug. 6:
- $39.5 million in Individual Assistance has been distributed in FEMA grants for repair and replacement of storm-damaged housing and for temporary housing.
- $5.3 million has been provided in FEMA grants for other disaster needs such as transportation, medical and dental expenses, moving and storage fees, and replacement or repair of personal property.
- $22.4 million has been approved by The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters and business owners.
- 37,463 residents have registered for assistance in the 30 Wisconsin counties declared eligible for individual disaster aid.
- 34,014 home inspections have been completed.
- 9,474 individuals have visited Wisconsin Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs), the last of which will be closing Aug. 16.
DRCs in Fond du Lac and Winnebago counties close at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9. Residents of Milwaukee County have until 7 p.m. Aug. 16 to visit their DRC at 2711 Wells St. on the Milwaukee City Campus. The Milwaukee DRC is open every day except Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through the 16th.
Homeowners, renters and business owners can visit any of the 12 SBA centers currently open in Columbia, Fond du Lac, Grant, Jefferson, Milwaukee, Rock, Sauk, Waukesha and Winnebago counties (see attachment for locations and hours).
Residents can register or update their information by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for those with speech or hearing impairment. The toll-free lines are open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. CDT until further notice. Residents also can register online 24 hours a day until the Sept. 15 deadline at www.fema.gov.
Homeowners, renters and business owners can receive information about SBA disaster loans and obtain help with the application process by calling the SBA at 1-800-659-2955 or TTY 1-800-877-8339, by visiting the SBA Web site at www.sba.gov, or by talking to an SBA customer service representative at any DRC, Disaster Loan Outreach Center or Business Recovery Center.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Friday, 08-Aug-2008 08:14:15