Severe storms and flooding have swept across Southern Wisconsin in recent weeks and have caused significant damage to infrastructure, businesses, homes and agricultural commodities. The Wisconsin Division of Emergency Management has released information regarding the relief process and how you can request assistance or support.

The state of Wisconsin, including the Governors office, has been working actively with relief organizations such as FEMA to assess the damage and determine the necessary level of assistance. The state and FEMA will work together to provide a summary of its findings of damages and costs.  Those findings will be included in the Governor’s request for the Presidential disaster declaration.

There are several programs that can assist residents in the affected areas including the FEMA Individual Assistance Program and Public Assistance program. The FEMA Individual Assistance program provides support to residents who have uninsured or under-insured necessary expenses such as housing repairs, while the FEMA Public Assistance program provides assistance to local and state entities by providing protective measures and restoring equipment and infrastructure damaged by the disaster.

For additional information on the flooding and damage, and to learn more about relief assistance click here.

• Funding for assisting eligible, low to moderate income homeowners for housing rehabilitation, business assistance, and repair local infrastructure - (608) 266-7531

• Grants to assist with short-term and emergency housing needs are disbursed through a local agent. For more information contact Debi Towns, (608) 267-5200.

• Assistance in determining if food can be salvaged – James Beix - (608) 224-4665 or food complaint emergency response line (608) 224-4714.

• Complaints of transient home improvement workers and scams can be reported to Contact the Bureau of Consumer Protection at (800) 422-7128 or datcphotline@wisconsin.gov

• Farmers should contact their local FSA Office to report damaged crops. FSA will also direct farmers to 211 and or the Local/County Emergency Management (EM) Office to report losses not tracked by the FSA. Visit http://offices.usda.gov for local FSA office information.

• Motorists are advised to check 511wi.gov before traveling

• Assistance for filing insurance claims can call Office of the Commissioner of Insurance at (800) 236-8517 or ocicomplaints@wisconsin.gov.

• Emergency Assistance payments to eligible low-income parents who have at least one child in the house and are facing an emergency due to natural disaster, to learn more about the program, including eligibility and where to apply, visit https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/ea.

• Those with additional needs or outstanding questions, including requests for volunteer assistance, should call 2-1-1 and they will be directed to the appropriate resource.