Get your copy of our weekly print products at any of these convenient locations.

FEMA officials: More flood relief is on the way

Dolph Diemont and Johnnie Smith  —  7/05/2008 12:15 pm

FEMA and state emergency management officials are very concerned about many counties — such as Jefferson, Richland, Rock and Sauk — still fighting devastating flooding.

We have assigned missions to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and to the U.S. Geological Service to put hydrologists into affected areas to find solutions to the problem of standing water. Studies show that water tables are high because rivers remain above flood stage. Therefore pumping is not a viable option.

The Wisconsin Recovery Task Force has been created by the governor and the president to establish priorities for the long term recovery of this state. This will involve both short and long term solutions not only to alleviate immediate needs, but also to lessen the repetitive losses we suffer throughout the state. Wisconsin is resilient. Ten times in the past 10 years the state has endured a major flooding disaster. 

The aftermath always brings life, love and growth. 

Hundreds of disaster workers and volunteers have rallied to this resilient state to fight for her recovery.  More than 400 of these tireless workers wear the dark blue FEMA shirts. They have been on foot and at desks at least 12 hours every day since the storms, doing everything the law allows to help the families and communities of Wisconsin climb out of the mud.

They have come up with innovative ways to solve problems that are not covered in disaster recovery guidebooks. For example, applicants whose homes are inaccessible have received rental assistance checks without a damage inspection. They may continue to receive housing assistance even if their homes remain inaccessible by calling the FEMA helpline. Rental help will be available on a renewable basis for these families until their homes can be inspected and further disaster assistance can be approved. 

FEMA and Wisconsin Emergency Management will stay the course. When the water subsides, some of us may find ourselves in a different home, but it will be a good, solid, Wisconsin home.

Dolph Diemont of the Federal Emergency Management Agency is the federal coordinating officer for Wisconsin Disaster Recovery. Johnnie Smith, an administrator for Wisconsin Emergency Management, is the state coordinating officer for Wisconsin Disaster Recovery.

Dolph Diemont and Johnnie Smith  —  7/05/2008 12:15 pm