Donald Trump has denied Wisconsin’s request for federal public assistance to repair infrastructure in six counties devastated by August flooding, a decision that state and local officials called disheartening and unacceptable as communities continue struggling with millions of dollars in damage.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency informed Governor Tony Evers that while the storms caused significant hardship for individuals and households, the agency concluded that the state’s request for Public Assistance did not meet the threshold for approval.
The denial means that Door, Grant, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, and Waukesha counties will not receive federal funds to repair public facilities such as schools, utilities, bridges, and roads damaged by the storms.
Governor Evers, who had previously declared a state of emergency following the severe weather, said the federal government’s refusal undermines recovery and leaves local communities to shoulder costs they cannot afford.
“Denying federal assistance doesn’t just delay recovery, it sends a message to our communities that they are on their own, and that the Trump Administration doesn’t think over $26 million in damages to public infrastructure is worthy of their help. I couldn’t disagree more. … We are going to fight tooth and nail to ensure they get every possible resource to rebuild and recover,” said Governor Evers.
According to preliminary damage assessments conducted in September by FEMA, Wisconsin Emergency Management, and local officials, the six affected counties sustained more than $26.5 million in eligible public losses. While FEMA approved individual assistance programs to help homeowners and renters repair property, the agency determined that the extent of public damage was insufficient to warrant the broader Public Assistance program.
The rejection leaves counties like Milwaukee facing steep repair bills. Officials say the financial strain could impact basic services if federal aid is not secured through an appeal.
“The decision from the Trump administration to deny the State’s request for Public Assistance is extremely disappointing. … Without this federal assistance, Milwaukee County is left footing the bill to repair an assessed $22 million in public infrastructure. As the State of Wisconsin begins the process to appeal this denial, I strongly urge President Trump to approve funding for FEMA Public Assistance so we can afford to rebuild our roads, bridges, parks, and public infrastructure,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley.
County Executive Crowley noted that while FEMA has already distributed more than $123 million in individual disaster relief to residents, local governments continue to face overwhelming costs to restore damaged assets. County officials say those funds are essential to ensuring safe transportation routes, functional utilities, and open public spaces.
Wisconsin’s appeal must be filed within 30 days of the denial letter. The governor has directed state emergency officials to compile additional documentation that could demonstrate the depth of losses to public infrastructure.
At the federal level, members of Wisconsin’s congressional delegation criticized the administration’s decision and urged FEMA to reconsider.
“By denying federal assistance, the Trump Administration is leaving Wisconsin communities to fend for themselves. No community can pick up these pieces alone, and Wisconsinites need support so they can rebuild and be on the road to recovery. … I fully support Governor Evers’ appeal for the Trump Administration to reconsider their decision and prioritize our local communities,” said U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin.
Senator Baldwin, who has pushed FEMA for months to expedite damage assessments and approve aid, said the agency’s conclusion ignored the clear evidence of widespread destruction. She argued that the denial contradicts the intent of the Public Assistance program, which is designed to relieve local taxpayers from the burden of rebuilding after federally recognized disasters.
U.S. Representative Gwen Moore, whose Milwaukee district experienced some of the heaviest flooding, echoed those frustrations and pointed to the delays in the federal response.
“Our state was forced to wait for nearly two months for the Trump administration’s ill-advised and disappointing decision. Communities in Milwaukee, which are still recovering, are counting on federal assistance to help fund critical repairs to public roadways, buildings, vehicles, and equipment that were severely damaged. … I will do everything in my power to push for this decision to be reversed,” said Congresswoman Moore.
She added that the appeal process offers one final opportunity for FEMA to acknowledge the severity of the August disaster and to extend help to the municipalities still struggling to restore normal operations.
Milwaukee city officials said the loss of federal aid could have far-reaching consequences for both the city’s infrastructure and its taxpayers. The city is still repairing streets and public facilities damaged when torrential rain overwhelmed storm drains and caused widespread flooding. Officials said recovery costs have already stretched budgets that were under pressure even before the storm season.
“Obviously, we are disappointed with the decision to leave local governments on their own to deal with the consequences of August’s devastating flood. … Milwaukee households and businesses have received federal aid, but that was only part of the costly effects of this disaster. We had hoped the federal government would choose to extend this additional assistance,” said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson.
Mayor Johnson said the city would continue coordinating with state agencies as the appeal moves forward. He emphasized that the combined local, county, and state documentation of damage should leave little doubt about the need for federal help.
Across southeastern Wisconsin, communities are still clearing debris, repairing bridges, and rebuilding public works facilities that were inundated. Local leaders said FEMA’s denial forces them to delay or scale back projects vital to restoring safety and basic services.
The Wisconsin Emergency Management agency said it is collecting updated reports from municipal departments and nonprofit organizations that sustained damage during the August flooding. The agency plans to resubmit its findings to FEMA as part of the appeal, which could take several weeks for review.
For many residents, the federal government’s refusal to cover public losses stands in sharp contrast to the quick approval of individual disaster aid earlier in the fall. That earlier funding helped homeowners replace damaged furnaces, appliances, and vehicles, but city and county governments say their costs are on a much larger scale and beyond their fiscal capacity.
Local lawmakers said that without federal reimbursement, some communities could be forced to reallocate funds from critical public safety and maintenance programs to pay for flood repairs. Others warned that future infrastructure projects could be postponed indefinitely.
The Milwaukee Common Council released a joint statement condemning the decision, describing it as a betrayal of public trust and an unnecessary burden on taxpayers.
“The move by the Trump Administration to deny assistance for such clear, extensive and widespread damage to public infrastructure in Milwaukee … means Milwaukee taxpayers could end up paying the bills. The denial is very clearly telling Milwaukee and other affected communities across southeast Wisconsin, ‘figure it out because you are on your own.’ … We sincerely hope the Governor’s appeal is heard and that the decision to deny assistance is reconsidered and reversed,” the council said in its press release.
Council members noted that the damage extended beyond roadways to include public schools, electrical systems, and utility networks. They said federal relief would have sped up reconstruction and helped ensure that public spaces and community facilities could reopen safely.
The Governor’s office confirmed that the appeal will seek to demonstrate the cumulative economic and operational impact on local governments. His administration said FEMA’s current assessment underestimates the long-term toll of the flooding, which disrupted transit systems, closed businesses, and eroded public infrastructure across the six counties.
The appeal is expected to include updated cost data, photos, engineering reports, and municipal estimates not available during the initial assessment phase. Wisconsin officials hope that by providing more comprehensive documentation, FEMA will reconsider the denial and unlock millions of dollars in relief.
If the decision stands, the state may have to explore state-level disaster assistance or borrowing mechanisms to help localities cover the shortfall. Wisconsin lawmakers have not ruled out legislative measures to appropriate emergency funds if the appeal fails, though such action could take time and require bipartisan approval.
The August floods were among the costliest weather events to hit southeastern Wisconsin in recent years, inundating major transportation corridors, damaging parks and utilities, and forcing evacuations in multiple neighborhoods. Emergency officials say the state’s aging infrastructure leaves it increasingly vulnerable to severe storms, which have grown more frequent and intense in recent years.
Local leaders said that while FEMA’s denial is a setback, they intend to press the case for aid until every option is exhausted. The governor’s office confirmed that the appeal would be filed well before the 30-day deadline.
In the meantime, county and city agencies are continuing cleanup and repair efforts using local funds, with hopes that federal reimbursement will eventually arrive. State officials warned that prolonged delays could compound costs as materials, labor, and construction prices continue to rise.
As Wisconsin prepares its appeal, affected communities are working to balance optimism with fiscal reality. Whether FEMA reconsiders or not, local governments said they will keep moving forward—but at a pace and cost that may burden residents for years to come.
© Photo
Andy Manis (AP), Gene J. Puskar (AP), and Alex Brandon (AP)
