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FEMA Tours Crawford County

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FEMA representatives, along with state and county officials, look at what is left of Rush Creek Road as part of their tour of Crawford County Friday. (Photo by Dennis Pelock)

 

FEMA holds meeting, tours Crawford County to assess damages

By Ted Pennekamp

 

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) representatives toured Crawford and several other counties in southwest Wisconsin on Oct. 6 and Oct. 7 in order to look at damage from recent heavy rains and floods and to get estimates from the towns, villages, cities and counties.

More than $21 million in damages throughout 12 counties has been reported so far, and the figures are expected to rise. Nearly $5 million in damages has been reported so far in Crawford County where raging streams led to a train derailment and damage to numerous roads and bridge abutments, while the Kickapoo River flooded the villages of Soldiers Grove, Gays Mills and Steuben. There also were 55 homes or businesses that were affected or had minor damage. There were 12 that had major damage and two that were destroyed. 

FEMA representatives from Region 5 in Chicago held a meeting at the Crawford County Highway Department near Seneca on Thursday where they recorded damage estimates. The representatives then toured parts of Crawford County on Friday. Their reports will help Governor Scott Walker decide whether to seek a federal disaster declaration, the first step in requesting federal assistance. 

If President Barack Obama issues a federal disaster declaration, FEMA representative Don Helgeson said the federal government would pay for 75 percent of the cost to clean up and repair infrastructure, and the balance would be split between the state and local governments. Helgeson said a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) may also be available for some of the damages. Some nonprofit organizations would also be eligible for aid.

If a federal disaster was declared for the 12-county area, a joint field office would be set up, said Helgeson, and FEMA would meet with landowners individually.

Helgeson also said funds would be allocated to the state, which in turn would give the funds to the counties and private citizens.

In talking with Crawford County Highway Commissioner Dennis Pelock, Helgeson said damage sites estimated at $100,000 or more need to be bid out to contractors be sealed bids. He said roads, bridges and other public infrastructure would be repaired to pre-disaster condition. Helgeson also noted, however, that there are ways to mitigate for federal funds to go beyond pre-disaster repairs.

A damage site has to be estimated at a minimum of $3,050 in order to qualify for federal aid. Helgeson, fellow FEMA representative Steve Cooper, and Paul France, from the state of Wisconsin, said they will do their best to group small damage sites so that they add up to more than the $3,050 threshold.

There will be a meeting on Oct. 19 beginning at 5 p.m. at the Highway Department in order to discuss private sector damages and a possible CDBG and an Emergency Assistance Grant. Crawford County Emergency Management Director Jim Hackett also said the county is working with Wisconsin Emergency Management to apply for a Small Business Administration declaration. If this is approved, residents who were affected can qualify for very low interest loans. 

Preliminary damage assessments, of $14 million public and $7.2 million private, do not meet federal disaster thresholds.

Eight House representatives and two senators from Wisconsin have sent a letter to President Obama to promptly approve any requests from Governor Walker. 

Walker declared a state of emergency after the storms of Sept. 21 and 22 dumped 3 to 7 inches of rain on parts of the state.

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