Sheboygan County added to disaster area list

By Linda Spice
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Four additional counties, including Sheboygan County, have received disaster declarations following the recent floods, bringing the total number of Wisconsin counties where individual assistance is available to 19, Gov. Jim Doyle announced today.

Earlier this week the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) made federal assistance available to those living in Fond du Lac, Marquette and Winnebago counties and is conducting damage assessments to allow declarations in other counties.

“FEMA is working hard to expand individual assistance to people across southern Wisconsin who have been hit hard by floods and severe weather,” Doyle said in a statement today. “I thank them and all those who are working together to recover and rebuild. We are committed to getting people the help they need.”

The governor has declared a state of emergency in 30 counties after severe weather this month brought record floods and other damage across southern Wisconsin. FEMA is in ongoing damage assessments in those counties to make disaster declarations.

Federal money is available for individuals living in counties where FEMA has declared disaster. Money is available home repairs and temporary housing costs. Those living in counties declared a state of disaster can apply for individual assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA or online at www.fema.gov.

Initial damage estimates from the 30 counties hit the hardest by the recent floods stands at more than $470 million today, state emergency management officials report.

Emergency officials caution that the figures are preliminary and "should not be considered a true indicator of the amount of damages."

Figures released include:

• $203,176,875 for residential damage.
  
• $45,325,742 for business damage.
  
• $146,685,000 for agricultural damage.
  
• $75,346,334 in public assistance, which covers infrastructure.
  

In the last two days, Doyle has announced that the federal disaster declaration has been expanded to Dodge, Green, Washington, Waukesha, Winnebago, Fond du Lac, Iowa, Marquette, Grant, Kenosha, Rock and Sheboygan. counties, allowing individuals and businesses damaged by flooding and heavy rains to apply for federal financial assistance. Others already under disaster declaration were Columbia, Crawford, Milwaukee, Racine, Richland, Sauk and Vernon counties.

Emergency officials are scheduled to assess damages today in Calumet and Green Lake counties.

Storm and flood victims who plan to visit a DRC are asked to register for assistance by calling 1-800-621-3362 or TTY at 1-800-462-7585. Registration is also available online at www.fema.gov.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued 4,996 low-interest loan applications for Wisconsin homeowners and businesses. They expect to issue more applications. More than 4,000 of the applications were requested by homeowners.