April 29, 2026, 2:26 p.m. CT
- Gov. Tony Evers directed Wisconsin Emergency Management to ask FEMA to conduct a damage assessment in Wisconsin.
- FEMA would likely perform much of the assessment virtually. The agency could be on-the-ground, though no dates and locations are announced.
- The FEMA damage assessment is a first step toward getting federal disaster aid, which Wisconsin received after August’s flooding.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is requesting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to come to the state for a damage assessment of April’s severe storms, the first step toward possible federal aid.
Evers said Wisconsin Emergency Management, the state agency tasked with preparing and responding to disasters, informed him April 29 that their initial damage assessments indicate that recent severe weather is expected to qualify for federal assistance and is beyond the state’s ability to recover on its own.
“Wisconsin is still recovering from last year’s historic record-breaking flooding, and while we continue to ensure we are prepared for any future severe weather, we need FEMA’s support in this process to begin and continue to support our communities during the long process of recovery,” Evers said in a news release.
The preliminary damage assessment Evers is seeking is one of the steps necessary to get federal disaster aid for Wisconsin. After FEMA partners with state and local officials to conduct a joint damage assessment, Evers can submit a formal request for a presidential disaster declaration, which would open up federal dollars.
FEMA came to Wisconsin in August to perform the same type of assessment after historic flooding in southeast Wisconsin. The agency spent several days surveying residents and looking at damage in selected neighborhoods.
FEMA is likely to review April’s storm damage virtually with on-site assessments only as needed, according to Evers’ office. Dates and locations for in-person FEMA visits are not yet determined.
Wisconsin has recorded 24 tornadoes so far in April – a total higher than the state’s yearly average of 23. Several rounds of severe storms hit the state in the middle of the month, leading to heavy rainfall and flood damage schools, businesses and homes. Evers declared a state of emergency April 15 and activated the National Guard.
It was a one-two punch for Wisconsin, which saw record-breaking flooding just eight months ago that qualified for FEMA assistance. President Donald Trump approved $29.8 million for homeowners and Milwaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties.
Trump also denied $26.5 million to help Door, Grant, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties repair infrastructure after the August floods. The Trump administration denied an appeal, but Evers asked the state’s members of Congress last week to continue pushing for those extra dollars.
The governor’s office encouraged Wisconsinites to report storm and flooding damage by calling 211 or filling out an online form. State and local officials also called for 211 reports in August to help log damage and support requests for federal help.
Hope Karnopp can be reached at HKarnopp@usatodayco.com.
