MADISON – After historic flooding in the Milwaukee area, Gov. Tony Evers' administration is assessing the extent of damage − a process that could qualify area residents for federal disaster aid.
Milwaukee and other parts of Wisconsin were hit with massive volumes of rain Saturday and Sunday, leading to flash flooding, power outages and a slew of closures and cancelations. Parts of Milwaukee saw more than 10 inches of rain in less than 24 hours in what is classified as a 1,000-year flood event.
Some residents affected by the flooding may look to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, also known as FEMA. Here's what you need to know about FEMA and when a disaster qualifies for federal aid.
What is FEMA?
FEMA is a U.S. government agency focused on coordinating disaster response and recovery efforts.
FEMA's assistance is initiated by an official request made by a state, tribal or territorial government. FEMA does not automatically respond to every disaster, according to the agency website.
State and local officials can issue emergency declarations to immediately mobilize local resources and implement emergency plans. If a disaster overwhelms state and local capacity, officials may request a presidential declaration, the agency said.
A presidential declaration triggers a federal response, providing additional resources and support. Federal agencies work with state and local governments affected by the disaster to assess damage, determine needs and allocate aid.
Unlike an emergency declaration, which can be issued before or immediately after a disaster, a presidential declaration can take a few days or even weeks to be issued.
What is the eligiblity requirements to receive FEMA assistance from the Individuals and Households Program?
If a disaster is declared, the following criteria must be met to be eligible for individual assistance from FEMA:
No other assistance: You may receive FEMA assistance only for needs not met by an insurance company or other similar reimbursement program.
Occupancy: You must have been living in the damaged property as your primary residence at the time of the disaster.
Ownership: You must own the damaged property or rent it.
Disaster damage: Your home must have sustained disaster-caused damage that is not covered by insurance.
U.S. Citizenship or legal residency: You must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien, according to FEMA.
Specific eligiblity requirements may vary depending on the type of disaster and federal regulations. You can check your elibiblity for assistance and apply by doing one of the following:
Online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
Calling the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (your time zone), seven days a week. Due to high call volume during a disaster, please expect longer wait times. The agency recommends calling in the morning or evening.
During a disaster, the quickest way to get answers about assistance eligibility is usually by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). The wait time at these centers is usually shorter, and they also have in-person, one-on-one FEMA representatives. To find the closest center, use the online locator: FEMA.gov/DRC
Download the FEMA app for mobile devices.
FEMA cannot provide assistance for disaster needs that have been met by another source such as insurance or other programs. But, if your insurance or another program does not cover all your disaster-caused needs, individuals may be eligiable for assistance from FEMA, according to the agency.
When you apply for FEMA assistance, you must tell FEMA about any insurance coverage you have that can help with your needs.
If you have insurance coverage, you will need to give FEMA proof of the insurance settlement or a letter explaining you were denied coverage before FEMA can determine what kind of assistance you are eligible for.
Has an emergency declaration been made for Milwaukee County floods?
Emergency declarations are made based on damage assessments and the request of local partners, according to the governor's office.
While Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley declared a state of emergency throughout the county on Aug. 10, no formal request for a state emergency declaration had been made to the governor's office as of Monday morning.
Evers' spokeswoman Britt Cudaback told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that at this time Wisconsin Emergency Management, the state's agency responsible for administering disaster relief funds, is in the early stages of the damage assessment process and the governor's office will continue to monitor the situation for any declaration needs.
But even if Wisconsin makes a state emergency declaration, that doesn't necessarily mean FEMA will provide federal support. To receive federal aid once a state declaration is made, damage must exceed a certain threshold to qualify.
Jeff Fleming, a spokesman for the Milwaukee mayor's office, told the Journal Sentinel city officials talked to the governor's staff Aug. 10 about advancing an emergency declaration and that a formal declaration for a state emergency delcaration from Milwaukee County is likely to come soon.
A spokesman for Crowley did not immediately respond to the Journal Sentinel.
Anna Kleiber can be reached at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Will FEMA help with disaster assistance after Wisconsin floods?
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