FEMA Denies Infrastructure and Mitigation Aid to Wisconsin and Michigan

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) denied multiple requests for disaster assistance and hazard mitigation funding in Wisconsin and Michigan following severe weather in 2025. In Wisconsin, the agency rejected a request for more than $26.5 million in public assistance to repair roads, bridges, and public buildings across six counties—Door, Grant, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, and Waukesha—after record-breaking floods in August. On October 28, FEMA further denied Wisconsin's application for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Governor Tony Evers condemned the decisions, stating the administration has told Wisconsin residents they are "on their own" and is "adding insult to injury." While federal individual assistance provided $123 million to Milwaukee County residents by October 24, Evers is appealing the denials of infrastructure and mitigation funds. Local officials, including Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, warned that the lack of federal aid burdens local taxpayers.

Similarly, FEMA denied Michigan's appeal for individual and utility assistance following a historic ice storm in March 2025. Although President Donald Trump approved $50 million for limited public repairs in July, FEMA determined the storm lacked the necessary "severity and magnitude" to warrant further designations. The storm caused approximately $150 million in infrastructure damage to Presque Isle Electric and Gas and devastated 900,000 acres of forest. Michigan state lawmakers have allocated $14 million for recovery as a $100 million relief proposal remains stalled in the Senate.