Trump rejects federal disaster aid for Wisconsin after August flash floods

Disaster aid for individuals was approved last month, but six counties are on their own with $26 million in damages to roads, bridges, public buildings, and utilities.

Gov. Tony Evers blasted the Trump administration Friday for rejecting a plea for $26.5 million in public infrastructure disaster relief caused by flash flooding in August in southeastern Wisconsin.

“It has been determined that the Public Assistance program is not warranted,” wrote an official with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in a letter to Evers received Thursday. “Therefore, your request for the Public Assistance Assistance program is denied.”

“Denying federal assistance doesn’t just delay recovery,” Evers responded in a statement, “it sends a message to our communities that they are on their own, and that the Trump Administration doesn’t think over $26 million in damages to public infrastructure is worthy of their help. I couldn’t disagree more.”

During storms on Aug. 9-10, parts of the region received as much as 14 inches of rain in less than 24 hours and caused four rivers in the Milwaukee area to hit record-high levels. At least 51 homes were destroyed. Around 4,500 residential and commercial buildings were damaged, with 1,500 homes receiving major damage.

Trump had approved $29.8 million in individual assistance in a disaster declaration on Sept. 11. In it, he falsely claimed that he won Wisconsin’s electoral votes in the 2020 presidential election.

“We had huge victories in Wisconsin in 2016, 2020, 2024,” Trump posted to social media. “And it is my honor to deliver big for Wisconsin.”

Evers had requested “individual assistance” disaster relief for flood victims in Milwaukee, Waukesha, and Washington counties, which Trump approved. But he also sought “public assistance” disaster relief for those three counties plus Ozaukee, Door, and Grant counties. 

An appeal is in the works from the governor’s office over the next 30 days.

“The federal government should not expect our communities to go through this alone,” Evers said. “And we are going to fight tooth and nail to ensure they get every possible resource to rebuild and recover. We are hopeful that the Trump Administration will reconsider this decision, so we can make sure folks have the resources and support they need.” 

Formal preliminary damage assessments were conducted by joint teams including FEMA, Wisconsin Emergency Management, and local officials, according to Evers’ office. The surveys calculated more than $26.5 million in eligible disaster costs that will be incurred by ​​state, local, and tribal governments plus nonprofit organizations to deal with debris removal and damage to roads and bridges, utilities and water systems, and public buildings such as schools and their equipment.

When Trump granted the individual disaster relief, Republican elected officials were quick to respond.

“This will bring much-needed resources to help communities recover,” said US Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Beaver Dam).

“This is great news for working families in Wisconsin. Thank you @POTUS,” posted US Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Janesville).

“Thank you to President Trump for continuing to deliver BIG TIME for Wisconsinites,” posted Sen. Ron Johnson.

There was no immediate reaction from GOP officials to news of Trump’s rejection, whether they support Evers’ appeal on behalf of those local governments, or whether they will push for separate congressional funding to help their constituents.

Also on Thursday, Trump approved major disaster declarations for Alaska, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Missouri, while denying requests from Vermont, Illinois, and Maryland. Trump explicitly implied a connection between the aid and whether voters in those states supported him, touting on social media Wednesday that he had “won BIG” in Alaska in the last three presidential elections and that it was his “honor” to deliver for the “incredible Patriots” of Missouri.