Gov. Tony Evers on Friday, May 22, put April’s severe storms and flooding squarely on Washington’s desk, formally asking President Donald Trump to issue a presidential disaster declaration after what state and federal teams say was more than $27 million in combined public and private damage across Wisconsin. The request seeks federal help for homeowners and renters, along with local governments still dealing with washed‑out roads, damaged utilities and battered public buildings. Survey crews from the state and FEMA have already been through neighborhoods and public‑works sites to tally up losses and document what will be needed to rebuild.
Formal request details
In a press release, the Office of the Governor said the May 22 filing asks FEMA to make Individual Assistance available in 19 counties, to authorize Public Assistance for emergency work in 14 counties and to open Hazard Mitigation funding statewide, according to the Office of the Governor. The release notes that the Oneida Nation is included in both the Individual and Public Assistance requests.
A joint preliminary damage assessment by Wisconsin Emergency Management and FEMA surveyed more than 1,570 residential properties, estimating more than $9.8 million in damage to homes and about $17.6 million in public‑sector losses. That pushed estimated combined damage above $27 million and documented 31 homes destroyed, 349 with major damage and 548 with minor damage, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
“I’m grateful Wisconsin Emergency Management and FEMA’s work identified and confirmed our need for federal assistance,” Evers said in the state statement, calling on the White House to act quickly so families and communities can start rebuilding, according to the governor’s release. The filing asks the federal government to consider both direct household grants and reimbursement for public infrastructure repairs.
What a declaration would unlock
If the president signs off, eligible residents could apply for FEMA Individual Assistance, which can include temporary housing help and grants for essential home repairs. Local governments would be able to seek Public Assistance to cover debris removal and infrastructure fixes. The state’s ReadyWisconsin hub is already listing immediate resources and advises residents to call 211 to report damage and connect with cleanup help and counseling services, per ReadyWisconsin.
Who’s on the list
The Individual Assistance request covers counties including Milwaukee, Marathon, Waukesha, Kenosha and Racine. The Public Assistance request highlights counties such as Bayfield and Manitowoc, and the Oneida Nation appears on both lists. The full county breakdown and program requests are laid out in reporting by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
A fraught history with FEMA
The new push comes after the Trump administration last year declined roughly $26.5 million in Public Assistance tied to August 2025 flooding, a decision Gov. Evers publicly criticized, according to WMTV. The administration later approved about $29.8 million to help homeowners in several hard‑hit counties, a mixed record that local officials say has left municipalities scrambling for repair dollars while state leaders keep pressing for more aid.
What happens next
FEMA will review the state and joint preliminary damage assessments before sending a recommendation to the White House, where the president has the final say on whether to declare a major disaster or emergency. Federal rules generally require governors to submit major‑disaster requests within 30 days of the incident, with only limited extensions, according to the eCFR. If the White House denies the request, the state has a window to seek reconsideration or file supplemental requests, and officials warn the review and appeal process can stretch over several weeks, as Spectrum News 1 reported.
Where to find help now
State officials say anyone with storm damage should document losses with photos and receipts, review insurance coverage and call 211 to report damage. ReadyWisconsin and county emergency pages are posting cleanup resources and step‑by‑step guidance on aid applications while the federal review plays out. Officials add that they will share updates on state channels once FEMA makes a determination, and residents can keep checking the ReadyWisconsin hub for the latest resources and contacts, per ReadyWisconsin.
