Flooding in Shiocton April 15, 2026. PC: Fox 11 Online
OUTAGAMIE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Federal assistance could be on the way to the Badger state.
The White House approved a request for FEMA funding by Governor Tony Evers.
The announcement comes after historic flooding in April hit Northeast Wisconsin communities.
President Trump approved $22.6 million in federal aid for northeast Wisconsin. The request made earlier this year asked for $27 million.
This means funds could be distributed to communities and counties impacted by April’s catastrophic flooding, including Outagamie County.
“I mean, it’s been absolutely devastating and the money that will be coming from FEMA, if it does in fact come, is really make or break money,” Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson said.
Nelson is pleased with the news and calls it an important milestone in communities’ recovery efforts.
He said White House approval was a big hurdle in getting past the politics and beginning to help people in need.
“All signs show that people are in agreement, that the damage that happened to Northeast Wisconsin in the spring has risen to the level, so to speak, of requiring assistance from FEMA,” Nelson said.
Nelson said damage to homes, infrastructure and businesses reached twice the amount of the tax levy in some communities.
Places like Shiocton and New London saw the worst of it.
It’s not clear how much money each community could get, but for businesses owners in downtown New London, they hope to get at least some help to pay for damages.
“Yeah, it would be great. I mean, there’s a lot of people, certainly not just us, a lot of people that suffered a lot of damages and just went through a lot of hardship and just lost business, lost sales, all of that stuff for a couple of months,” Water Street Vintage Owner Jeff Rickert said.
Heavy rainfall flooded the streets of downtown New London back in April.
Rickert said his business suffered upwards of $100,000 in damages.
The store reopened in mid-June but needed all new flooring and even some new walls.
He said any help the federal government can provide from this would make a huge difference.
“I mean, a lot of small business owners are, you know, they’re running the side of their own pockets and their own households. And yeah, every ounce helps for sure,” Rickert said.
There are still more details being waited on from FEMA on what’s next, where money will go, how it will be distributed and divided.
Waupaca County Emergency Management said it’s still waiting for guidance on available funding or eligibility for Waupaca County.
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