It’s been eight days since Democratic Gov. Tony Evers asked President Donald Trump to declare a major disaster and open up federal aid for the August floods that hammered southeast Wisconsin.
Trump hasn’t yet approved Wisconsin’s request. Eleven other states and tribes are waiting for their own declarations, some dating to July. Trump has previously approved disaster aid in batches, but it’s uncertain when, or if, Wisconsin will be green-lit.
Data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency shows timelines to get FEMA aid flowing to Wisconsin have varied greatly across presidential administrations, spanning from just a few days to more than two months.
As of Sept. 4, it’s been 27 days since the severe storms began Aug. 9. If and when Trump approves Wisconsin’s request, federal aid will likely become available to individual households and local governments affected by the floods.
Here’s a list of previous Wisconsin disaster declarations going back to 2000, and the amount of time between the start of the weather event and the date a disaster was declared. Around 40 days was average for Wisconsin.
Covid-19 pandemic in 2020: 75 days
Severe winter storm and flooding in 2020: 61 days
Severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding in 2019: 40 days
Severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, flooding and landslides in 2018: 62 days
Severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding in 2018: 56 days
Severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mud in 2017: 80 days
Severe storms, flooding and mudslides in 2016: 29 days
Severe storms and flooding in 2016: 29 days
Severe storms, flooding and mudslides in 2013: 49 days
Severe storms and flooding in 2012: 44 days
Severe winter storm and snowstorm in 2011: 64 days
Severe storms and flooding in 2010: 29 days
Severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in 2010: 22 days
Severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in 2008: 9 days
Severe storms and flooding in 2007: 8 days
Severe storms and flooding in 2004: 42 days
Severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in 2002: 8 days
Severe storms and flooding in 2002: 28 days
Flooding in 2001: 31 days
Severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in 2000: 29 days
FEMA Process Infographic by Post-Crescent
All of Wisconsin’s members of Congress urge timely decision
On Aug. 28, each Republican and Democratic member representing Wisconsin in Congress sent a letter to Trump in support of Wisconsin’s request, asking him for his “timely consideration of this urgent request.”
“Federal assistance is urgently needed to help families repair and rebuild their homes, support businesses and workers as they recover lost income and property, and to ensure that local governments can restore critical infrastructure and services,” they wrote in the bipartisan letter.
Data collected during FEMA’s Preliminary Damage Assessment indicate 51 homes were completely destroyed, with $33 million total in home damages across three counties. That’s in addition to at least $43 million in damages to public buildings and infrastructure.
Vice President JD Vance visited La Crosse a day after Evers made the request and told reporters it was possible Trump hadn’t seen it at that point. Vance promised the White House would take a look and “make sure that it gets the review that it requires.”
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: How often has Wisconsin received FEMA aid? How long did decision take?