MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - Governor Scott Walker has asked for federal disaster aid to help communities which had broken water mains and other damage from the record cold winter.
The state applied to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for over $11 million to repair public amenities.
The request covers 8 counties where damages exceeded the thresholds to qualify for FEMA grants. Those counties are Milwaukee, Kenosha, Fond du Lac, Winnebago, Wood, Marathon, Clark, and Chippewa counties.
Should the state's request be approved, Walker said more damage assessments would be performed to see if other counties could also get aid.
Initial reports showed that all but 3 of Wisconsin's 72 counties had a total of $25 million in damage to things like water pipes, water towers, and streets.
Walker said the severe cold "overwhelmed" many counties, cities, villages, and towns -- and the federal aid would help them cover their unexpected damages.
Wind chill factors got down to 55-below in far northern Wisconsin in early January, and the severe cold extended well into the spring season.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)