Gov. Tony Evers has formally requested a disaster declaration from President Donald Trump in response to severe storms on July 27.
The severe storms resulted in at least one confirmed EF-3 tornado in the Menasha and Appleton area, along with high winds, hail, power outages, and disruptions to public water systems, causing widespread and significant damage in Forest, Outagamie, Vilas, and Winnebago counties.
Evers’ request includes the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Individual Assistance for affected residents and families in the four counties, FEMA’s Public Assistance for emergency work and infrastructure repairs in Vilas and Winnebago Counties, and FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to help reduce the impact of future disasters for the entire state.
According to a press release, after assessments of more than 2,346 residential properties, Wisconsin Emergency Management and FEMA determined that the total damage costs of those properties were estimated at more than $8.2 million. The joint preliminary damage assessment for Public Assistance found more than $13.8 million in public sector damage.
Earlier this month, Evers signed Executive Order #303 declaring a period of abnormal economic disruption in Outagamie, Winnebago, Forest, and Vilas Counties in response to the July 27 severe weather. As families and communities continue to rebuild and recover, especially those who are displaced from their homes, Gov. Evers directed the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to enforce prohibitions against price gouging on everyday essentials and lodging.
Wisconsinites are also encouraged to report storm and flooding damage by calling 2-1-1 or online at 211 Wisconsin’s disaster report page. Additional information from WEM regarding storm damage response is attached in this FAQ.
It is important to note that federal assistance is only available at this time for disaster survivors from the April 13–23 storms. Those who were impacted by the July 27 storms should contact 211 or check with their county on what resources or assistance are available to them.
