Press Releases

Moore, Baldwin, and Steil Call on FEMA to Provide Immediate Federal Support for Flooding Damage

Milwaukee, WI – After historic levels of flooding impacted Southeastern Wisconsin, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-WI-04), U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Congressman Bryan Steil (R-WI-01) called on the Trump administration and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to approve Wisconsin’s request for a formal federal preliminary damage assessment. This damage assessment is critical to helping unlock federal disaster aid.

In a letter to Kristi Noem, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA, the lawmakers wrote: “Last weekend, unprecedented storms struck Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington, and Ozaukee Counties in a record rainfall that left thousands of homes without power and caused significant damage. We have been proud of the rapid response from Wisconsin’s law enforcement, emergency response teams, utility workers, and volunteers, who have been working diligently to respond to the needs of Wisconsin residents.”

The lawmakers continued: “Local and state officials are continuing to respond to the extensive damage caused by the storms as best they can, but they need FEMA’s assistance now. We urge you to act without delay.”

This request comes after Governor Tony Evers announced on Wednesday that he is submitting a request for FEMA to assist the state in conducting a formal federal preliminary damage assessment caused by recent extreme storms and flooding across the state. Governor Evers declared a State of Emergency for flash flooding and storm damage in Wisconsin on August 11^th. 

Read the full text of the letter here.