Gov. Scott Walker has asked the U.S. Small Business Administration to view flood damage and meet with local and state officials in Douglas County so that information can be gathered to request federal low-interest loans to people and employers that suffered damage during last month’s flooding.
Later, the Governor dealt with just the opposite condition in most of the rest of the state, as he declared a state of emergency in all 72 Wisconsin counties due to the abnormally dry conditions extending across most of the state.
With regard to the flooding, Walker said: “I want to make sure we are able to provide disaster assistance to help flood victims recover from this devastating flood,” Walker said in a release. “We need to do this quickly to help the businesses get back to work and homeowners get back to their lives.”
Winds and flooding caused damage in northwestern Wisconsin on June 19 and 20, with most of the flood damage occurring to homes and businesses in Douglas County.
The SBA assessment of damaged homes and businesses will begin next week. Under an SBA declaration, SBA offers home and personal property loans, business physical disaster loans, and economic injury disaster loans.
In addition, disaster assessment teams with the Federal Emergency Management Agency are assessing damages to roads, bridges and other public infrastructure. FEMA officials are assessing flood damage in Ashland, Bayfield, and Douglas Counties and the tribal group Red Cliff Bank of Lake Superior Chippewa.
The Governor’s office noted that other disaster assistance is available through the Wisconsin Disaster Fund, which will be made available to assist local governments recoup the costs incurred in responding to and recovering from the flooding. The state contributes 70% of eligible costs, with the local applicant contributing the remaining 30%.  Eligible costs include road repairs, debris clearance and emergency protective measures.
Drought measures
Meanwhile, in most of the rest of the state, a severe drought has threatened crops and resulted in an increase in wildfires. Last week, Walker declared a drought emergency in 42 Wisconsin counties, but he now has extended it statewide.
The U.S. Drought Monitor shows more than half of the state is impacted by the hot, humid conditions. With weather forecasts of continued low precipitation and high heat, officials expect abnormally dry and drought conditions to extend to much of the northern part of the state.
“Wisconsin families, businesses and farmers are hurting as a result of this drought,” Walker said. “The increase in wildfires due to the combined lack of rain and high temperatures is adding to the risk of major economic losses, especially in agriculture. Â This is a time of crisis for many people, and we will utilize whatever resources are necessary to help.”
The statewide Executive Order directs Wisconsin Emergency Management to coordinate state efforts in response to the drought, and directs all state agencies to assist in the response and recovery. The drought emergency declaration also waives fees and expedites the permitting process to allow farmers to divert water from certain streams and lakes without causing serious environmental damage.
Gov. Walker also is urging people to use caution and comply with burn restrictions after the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources responded to more than 300 wildfires since June 1. More than 50 Wisconsin counties are currently facing fire dangers ranging from moderate to very high.
For more information on fire dangers, go to http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/forestfire/restrictions.asp.
