Storm damage in Ephraim, August 11, 2025. PC: Fox 11 Online
(WTAQ-WLUK) — FEMA denied a federal disaster request for Door County and five other Wisconsin counties affected by severe storms and flooding from August.
Last month, President Donald Trump approved nearly $30 million in funding to help Milwaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties rebuild after flooding.
In addition, Gov. Evers requested Public Assistance from FEMA for Door, Grant, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, and Waukesha counties to address more than $26.5 million in disaster costs.
In a letter sent to the governor, FEMA said that while the impact to individuals and households was significant, based on the Preliminary Damage Assessments, “it has been determined that the public assistance program is not warranted.”
In response, Gov. Evers says he will be filing an appeal to ensure the six communities receive the support they need to rebuild and recover.
A severe weather outbreak that swept through the state Aug. 9 brought heavy rainfall and strong winds, causing significant damage to trees and power lines and left thousands of Wisconsinites without power.
That same storm system brought a EF0 tornado to Door County.
FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides supplemental grants to state, local, and tribal governments as well as certain types of private nonprofits to recover from major disasters or emergencies. The grants may provide funding for:
- Restoration of damaged public buildings and equipment, such as public schools, hospitals, and facilities providing community services;
- Restoration of roads and bridges;
- Debris removal from obstructed public roadways and infrastructure; and
- Repair of damaged or impacted public utilities and water system.
The decision on granting Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding is still pending.
Affected businesses in Dodge, Fond du Lac, Jefferson, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan and Walworth counties may be eligible for loans available through the U.S. Small Business Administration. The deadline for applications for home and business physical disaster loans is Nov. 10. The deadline for economic injury disaster loans is June 11, 2026.
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