One Month After Flooding, Assistance Continues To Rise 

More than $6 million have been disbursed to Wisconsin citizens to recover from Aug. storms.

Release Date: September 18, 2007
Release Number: 1719-024

» More Information on Wisconsin Severe Storms and Flooding

LA CROSSE, Wis. -- One month after the rain began to fall on Wisconsin, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has given out more than $6 million to assist individuals and businesses in the 14 designated counties with flood-related recovery.

Most of the assistance, more than $5.1 million, has been approved to help Wisconsin citizens with housing needs. This grant money may help pay for temporary housing and repairing homes to a safe, sanitary and functional state.

An additional $253,867 has been approved for serious, disaster-related needs not covered by insurance. These needs include medical, dental, funeral, personal property, moving, storage and transportation expenses.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved 31 loans for $857,500 to homeowners, renters and businesses of any size for losses not covered by insurance. Anyone who receives an SBA loan application is encouraged to complete and return it as soon as possible to maintain FEMA grant and SBA loan eligibility. Small businesses may receive loans for economic injury as a result of the flooding and severe storms to meet ongoing, monthly expenses; physical damage is not required for an economic injury disaster loan.

FEMA’s work does not stop at assisting with disaster recovery; the agency also organizes events that provide information on how to reduce future home damage and flood insurance. Homeowners, building contractors, architects and others who are interested can learn building techniques that can save money in the event of a disaster.

FEMA mitigation experts will be at the following home improvement stores from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.:

Representatives will attend upcoming events to talk to attendees about their flood damage and flood insurance. The events are Farm Tech Days Sept. 18 – 22, the Viola Horse and Colt Show Sept. 22 and the Fall Apple Festival in Gays Mills Sept. 29.

Disaster recovery centers (DRCs) are open for residents to ask questions about assistance. Individuals may talk face-to-face with disaster recovery officials and receive information about disaster assistance programs, SBA loan applications, cost-effective measures to reduce the impact of future disasters and federal flood insurance programs.

There are three open DRCs:

Jefferson County Fairgrounds
503 N. Jackson Ave.
Jefferson, WI 53549
Open 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., until Wednesday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m.

Vernon County– Living Faith Church
852 North Main St.
Viroqua, WI 54665
Open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. until Thursday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. SBA representatives remain on location beginning Sept. 21, Friday – Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. until further notice.

Dane County
Robertson Road Facility
4318 Robertson Rd, Madison, WI 53714
8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; closing Thursday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m.

Anyone who lives in a designated county and has not yet applied for assistance for the Aug. 18 – 31 flooding is encouraged to do so by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week. The deadline to apply for assistance is October 25. Applicants can also call FEMA’s toll-free numbers to check the status or update their applications.

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: Tuesday, 18-Sep-2007 21:54:29