U.S. Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee) said today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) could begin preliminary work in Milwaukee County as soon as Wednesday.
“Getting FEMA here as soon as possible is critical to help us recover from this disaster. I have no doubt that FEMA will immediately see that we’re hurting and that damage is severe. I implore them and state officials to complete assessments swiftly so that Federal assistance can be here as soon as possible,” Moore said.
Moore, along Senators Russ Feingold (D-Wis.)and Herb Kohl (D-Wis.), wrote in support of the state’s expected application for disaster assistance. FEMA will begin preliminary damage assessments that are needed for the state to formally apply for disaster assistance.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker’s office issued a statement today about the county’s response to the disaster.
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“Several news outlets contacted me yesterday afternoon to say that the Governor’s office said they had not received the necessary damage assessment reports from Milwaukee County. Milwaukee County Emergency Management did provide the necessary information on Friday, along with the Emergency Declaration from the County Executive. State Emergency Management confirmed receipt of our Uniform Disaster Situation Report (UDSR) and the County Executive’s declaration of disaster and request for federal assistance,” Fran McLaughlin, director of communications for the Office of the Milwaukee County Executive, stated in an e-mail today. “The Governor’s office subsequently sent out the attached notice, proving their comments yesterday to be erroneous and a poor attempt to put Milwaukee County in a negative light.”
Here is the text of Gov. Jim Doyle’s statement from July 26:
“State and local officials have been moving quickly since Thursday evening to respond to the damage caused by a string of severe storms. In that time Wisconsin Emergency Management has been working closely with FEMA and local officials to ensure a speedy response.
“On Friday evening, Milwaukee County submitted a preliminary damage assessment to the state, and continued working through the weekend to complete the damage assessment as quickly as possible. As of tonight the state has received updated damage assessments for Milwaukee and Grant counties, and Wisconsin Emergency Management is completing an application for federal assistance from FEMA. The application will be submitted first thing in the morning and FEMA has already indicated that they will be in Wisconsin early next week.
“I want to thank Milwaukee and Grant counties for their prompt response to this disaster. This is a top priority for everyone involved, and with a lot of people’s hard work the counties’ damage assessments were completed quicker than normal. Emergency Management will update the state’s application as damage assessments from other counties are finalized.”