Press Release: Gov. Evers Requests Disaster Declaration from President Trump to Assist with Recovery Efforts After Destructive July Storms

State of Wisconsin sent this bulletin at 08/26/2026 01:12 PM CDT
Office of Governor Tony Evers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 26, 2026
Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov 
 
Gov. Evers Requests Disaster Declaration from President Trump to Assist with Recovery Efforts After Destructive July Storms
Governor’s request comes as Wisconsin Emergency Management and FEMA joint preliminary damage assessment determines nearly $14 million in public sector damages, more than $8.2 million in damages to residential properties
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today announced he has formally requested a disaster declaration from President Donald J. Trump in response to severe storms on July 27, 2026. The severe storms resulted in at least one confirmed EF-3 tornado in the Menasha/Appleton area, along with high winds, hail, power outages, and disruptions to public water systems, causing widespread and significant damage in Forest, Outagamie, Vilas, and Winnebago Counties. Gov. Evers’ request includes the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Individual Assistance for affected residents and families in the four counties, FEMA’s Public Assistance for emergency work and infrastructure repairs in Vilas and Winnebago Counties, and FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to help reduce the impact of future disasters for the entire state.

Gov. Evers earlier this month announced he would be requesting FEMA assistance to conduct joint preliminary damage assessments. After assessments of more than 2,346 residential properties, Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) and FEMA determined that the total damage costs of those properties were estimated at more than $8.2 million. The joint preliminary damage assessment for Public Assistance found more than $13.8 million in public sector damage.

“Meeting with folks who’ve been hurt and seeing the devastation and destruction throughout these Wisconsin communities show just how strong and resilient they are—Wisconsinites always show up for each other. But we know goodwill, grit, and volunteers alone can’t fix this disaster, and we’ll need emergency disaster aid from the federal government to make it happen,” said Gov. Evers. “Wisconsin has been hit especially hard by severe weather over the last few years, and we cannot afford for the federal government not to step up to the plate and get states like ours help when we need it. Our communities need real and tangible help, and I’m grateful for WEM’s and FEMA’s work in identifying and confirming our need for federal assistance after another round of devastating storms for Wisconsin. There is still a long road to recovery to rebuild public infrastructure and help families, neighbors, and the communities recover, so I will continue to do everything I can to urge the president and the Trump Administration to do their part to ensure Wisconsin receives the support we desperately need.”

The governor’s latest request for aid comes as President Trump and the Trump Administration have repeatedly come under fire for slashing funding for emergency preparedness and response at FEMA while also prioritizing Republican-run states to receive disaster relief. Recent reporting indicates that it is three times harder for Democratic-led states to get disaster funding under the Trump Administration than Republican-led states, with the Trump Administration rejecting disaster aid for Democratic-led states at the highest rate in the history of FEMA.

The governor has been steadfast in his efforts to ensure the communities impacted by these severe weather events have the support and resources they need. Gov. Evers declared a state of emergency on July 28 due to the severe storms, and on July 30, the governor activated the Wisconsin National Guard to support Winnebago County’s ongoing recovery response after devastating and destructive storms. Following his activation of the Wisconsin National Guard, the governor toured storm damage in Menasha, where he met and spoke with local officials, neighbors, first responders, and volunteers about their tireless efforts to restore safety, reconnect families, and begin the difficult process of rebuilding their communities. The Evers Administration and WEM have fulfilled requests for state aid and assistance from local county emergency management, in addition to requesting FEMA assistance to help the state in conducting joint preliminary damage assessments.

Further, earlier this month, Gov. Evers signed Executive Order #303 declaring a period of abnormal economic disruption in Outagamie, Winnebago, Forest, and Vilas Counties in response to the July 27 severe weather. As families and communities continue to rebuild and recover, especially those who are displaced from their homes, Gov. Evers directed the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to enforce prohibitions against price gouging on everyday essentials and lodging.

The July 27 severe weather is the second round of severe weather the state has seen this summer alone, and following the Trump Administration’s denial of FEMA assistance for damages caused by April’s severe storms, Gov. Evers announced that Wisconsin is filing an appeal to ensure affected communities receive the federal disaster aid they need to rebuild and recover.

To date, President Trump and his administration have still failed to justify their multiple denials of federal assistance to help communities respond to and recover from similar severe weather and flooding that occurred across the state throughout the last year, causing tens of millions of dollars in damages and exceeding local and state resources. That’s why, back in April, Gov. Evers sent a letter to members of Wisconsin’s Congressional delegation, imploring lawmakers to stand up for Wisconsin communities, underscoring that public and persistent efforts to help advocate for Wisconsin to receive assistance from federal partners, including President Trump, will be key to securing the disaster aid needed.

The Evers Administration, including WEM, continues to work with local and Tribal emergency management offices across the state to assess damage and provide resources needed to speed recovery efforts. Wisconsinites are also encouraged to report storm and flooding damage by calling 2-1-1 or online at 211 Wisconsin’s disaster report page. Additional information from WEM regarding storm damage response is attached in this FAQ.

It is important to note that federal assistance is only available at this time for disaster survivors from the April 13–23 storms. Those who were impacted by the July 27 storms should contact 211 or check with their county on what resources or assistance are available to them. 
 
An online version of this release is available here.
###