NEWS
FEMA denies funding for tornado-stricken counties
Looking for a print version?
Simply choose ‘Print’ on your computer and a printer-friendly document will be generated.
Also by Carolyn Smith:
- Senate committee scrutinizes UW (October 20, 2005)
- Duo unveils universal healthcare proposal (October 21, 2005)
- In-Depth: WiCell unveils stem cell breakthrough (January 15, 2006)
Related Stories:
- Governor secures funding (October 5, 2005)
- Madison to get FEMA aid (September 10, 2007)
- FEMA distributes $5 million across WisconsinFEMA distributes $5 million across Wisconsin (September 18, 2007)
- Flood victims to receive federal aid (September 6, 2007)
- FEMA grants $6.8 million to natural disaster victims (October 22, 2007)
by Carolyn Smith
Monday, September 26, 2005
The Federal Emergency Management Agency denied disaster relief Friday to three Wisconsin counties that were hit by tornados last month.
Dane, Richland and Vernon counties were ravaged by a record number of 27 tornados Aug. 18, killing one person and injuring 23. A total of 67 homes were demolished and over 400 were damaged due to the tornados.
FEMA resources have been spread thin in light of Hurricane Katrina, but Gov. Jim Doyle said the victims of the Wisconsin tornados should not be overlooked for federal assistance.
"I'm dismayed by this decision, having seen firsthand the damage these tornados caused," Doyle said in a release. "While I understand that FEMA's resources are strained, the country shouldn't be in the position of having to choose between victims of one disaster and victims of another."
The tornados caused over $47 million in damage in the three counties, some of which will be covered by individual victims' homeowner's insurance, Wisconsin Emergency Management spokesperson Lori Getter said.
"We worked with the counties and with FEMA in gathering information and put the request together with the governor's office a month ago," Getter said. "We felt that we delivered a good case for disaster aid not only for individuals but for the communities impacted."
Because the hurricane struck the Gulf soon after the tornados hit, FEMA's attention was directed to disaster relief in the South, Getter said, which resulted in a delayed response to the areas of Southern Wisconsin that were affected by the storms.
"We understood that their priorities were focused on [the hurricane] and it should be," Getter said. "But at the same time we believe there are still many unmet needs here in Wisconsin, so we are really disappointed."
Getter said Doyle plans to appeal the decision sometime this week. FEMA and the Bush administration will have a month to respond.
"We're hopeful in the next couple of days we can re-look at our numbers once again and can put together a new request," Getter said. "Hopefully the decision will be reversed — we have a lot of people who need help here."
Getter said if FEMA funding is not granted for the tornado relief, individual families will have to absorb the costs which are not covered by insurance.
Jerilyn Goodman, spokesperson for U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., said Baldwin supports Doyle's request to appeal the decision; Doyle is the only state government official who can submit such an appeal.
In addition, Wisconsin's congressional delegates are trying to find other ways to get relief assistance for the victims of the tornado if FEMA will not provide relief.
U.S. Reps. Ron Kind and Tammy Baldwin and U.S. Sens. Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl, all Democrats from Wisconsin, have asked U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johans for relief for farmers hit by tornados, to get funding separate from FEMA aid, Goodman said.
In the meantime, Getter said, the victims of the tornados are trying to get their lives back in order to rebuild as soon as possible.
"I think most people are hopeful they will be back in their homes in six months," Getter said. "While many of them had insurance, there are still a lot of people whose needs are not covered by that."
