Dear Friend,
I am writing to provide an update on the tornado that caused severe damage in Menasha and other parts of Winnebago and Outagamie county, and provide information on what to do next, where to report damage, and how FEMA may get involved.
Right now, state and local officials are conducting assessments on the damage. Once there is a clear picture, they and Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) will determine the next steps for addressing the damage, which may include requesting FEMA involvement.
In order for Wisconsin officials to have a full picture to give to FEMA and increase our chances of federal aid, it is vital that you and all residents affected report the damage to local officials. To do this, call either 211 or the Winnebago County Emergency Management line at 920-236-7463. Since the disaster just happened, there is no estimate for the damage that can be used to request federal assistance. Having constituents call in and share this information with local leaders will be greatly beneficial in making the case for a federal disaster declaration.
The process for issuing disaster declarations and activating FEMA’s involvement is as follows:
- A Declaration of a State of Emergency by the Governor (either before or after the major disaster has occurred) is a prerequisite for states requesting federal assistance. However, it is important to note that this declaration only activates state resources.
- After the disaster, local and state officials must assess the damage from the disaster to determine whether federal assistance is necessary.
- If it is determined that federal assistance is necessary, the Governor will send a request for Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) to their FEMA regional administrator. The PDA will be conducted jointly between federal and state officials to determine whether a Presidential Disaster Declaration will be issued.
- The PDA is generally completed before the Governor submits a request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration. However, the Major Disaster Declaration request must be submitted within 30 days of the incident.
- The request must be based upon a finding that the situation is beyond the capability of the State and affected local governments.
- Once a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration is issued, the specific services provided by FEMA will be issued based on the findings of the PDA. The services and programs could take the form of either Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, or Hazard Mitigation Assistance.
Additional information:
Lastly, you can contact my office for information on how to report damages, ask questions, or start casework now, or at any point moving forward. This tornado was devastating and as your representative, please know that I am always here to advocate for you.
