Emergency officials are on the ground, assessing the flooding damage in southeast Wisconsin. Based on damage numbers already in, Governor Evers asked FEMA to come in for a joint damage assessment. When that joint assessment finishes, Governor Evers can then formally ask President Trump to declare a disaster, freeing up FEMA funds.

Since Trump took office, FEMA aid has been hit or miss. Kerr County in central Texas, which saw flash floods on July 4 that killed at least 135 people, including 37 children, received FEMA funding, as did Arkansas after deadly tornadoes, only after it was initially denied.

Once damage assessment are complete, the governor's office will submit a formal request to the president through FEMA and the US Department of Homeland Security seeking a federal disaster declaration. If approved, this declaration unlocks additional federal funding and resources to support long-term recovery.