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Baldwin and Pocan Request Trump Administration Provide Federal Assistance and Support Dane County Flood Recovery Efforts

August 21, 2018

WASHINGTON, DC (August 21, 2018) U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) today sent a letter to President Trump, asking him to provide federal assistance for flood recovery efforts and to support Dane County should Governor Walker make a request for FEMA to conduct damage assessments and seek a federal disaster declaration. The letter comes as recent storms and flooding in southcentral Wisconsin resulted in severe damage to the impacted areas, including impassable roads and bridges and private property damage.

"It is our understanding that the State of Wisconsin and Dane County are is currently assessing the damage, the extent of which will determine whether the disaster meets the criteria for a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster declaration," wrote Baldwin and Pocan. "A FEMA disaster declaration makes critical federal funds available to reimburse local communities for needed damage repairs and recovery. Should Governor Walker make a request for FEMA to conduct damage assessments and seek a federal disaster declaration, we would strongly urge you to provide federal assistance and your full support."

"The flooding damaged transportation infrastructure and emergency managers were immediately at work assisting those stranded by flooded roads, mitigating impacts to road and bridge infrastructure, and assessing damages," continued Baldwin and Pocan. "As these communities continue to recover, we ask that you work quickly to make federal emergency transportation funding available to Wisconsin to stabilize roads and ensure that residents have access to safe and reliable transportation."

The full letter is available here.

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