Overview
Disasters can occur at any time in Wisconsin, resulting in lives lost, injuries, and millions in property damage.
Recovery is a complex process and engagement at the local and county level is critical.
The Disaster Recovery Resource Guide contains information about programs to assist tribes, municipalities, and counties during the recovery process.
This guide was created by and is maintained by the Wisconsin Recovery Task Force (WRTF). The task force is comprised of state agencies and stakeholders that have a role in recovery efforts.
This guide will be revised and updated as new information and opportunities become available.
It does not include all resources that may be available; please check with local businesses and volunteer organizations for additional assistance. Nonprofit and volunteer organizations are critical to recovery efforts.
Please note that the availability of these programs may or may not require a federal declaration.
Contents
Spring 2025
Public Infrastructure
WISCONSIN DISASTER FUND (WDF)
Administered by: Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs (DMA) Division of Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM)
The WDF program reimburses costs that do not meet thresholds for federal assistance programs. It covers the removal of debris, emergency protective measures, and repairs to roads and bridges damaged by the incident. A County/Municipality must meet a $4.72 per capita threshold. There is a 70% State and 30% Local cost share.
More Information: https://wem.wi.gov/recovery/
Contact:
Kelsey Brown
Wisconsin Disaster Fund Coordinator
widisasterfund@widma.gov
(608) 242-3239
DISASTER DAMAGE AIDS (DDA)
Administered by: Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT)
The DDA program provides financial assistance to local governments to repair any highway that has had significant damage due to a disaster event. Cost share is 75% of replacement costs plus 50% of improvement costs. Claims less than or equal to $15,000 for all repairs (replacement and improvement).
More Information: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/doing-bus/local-gov/astnce-pgms/highway/disaster.aspx
Contact:
John Moe Program Manager
johnx.moe@dot.wi.gov
(608) 267-0404
EMERGENCY RELIEF
Administered by: Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT)
The ER program assists local governments with replacing or repairing roadways or roadway structure damage on ALL federal-aid highways (major collectors and above).
ER also includes debris removal and emergency protective measures such as traffic control and detour signing. Governor’s State of Emergency Declaration required. ER 100% perm. repair, interstate 90/10, non-interstate 80/20.
More Information: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/doing-bus/local-gov/astnce-pgms/highway/relief.aspx
Contact:
Dan Schultz Program Manager
dan.schultz@dot.wi.gov
(414) 227-2150
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS – PUBLIC FACILITIES (CDBG-PF)
Administered by: Wisconsin Department of Administration Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources (DEHCR)
CDBG-PF projects must primarily benefit low-to-moderate income individuals and families. Funds help support infrastructure and facility projects for communities.
Some examples of eligible projects include improvements, repairs, or expansions of streets, drainage systems, water and sewer systems, sidewalks, and community centers. Funds awarded through an annual competitive process.
More Information: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/doing-bus/local-gov/astnce-pgms/highway/disaster.aspx
Contact:
Public Facilities Program Coordinator
doacdbg@wisconsin.gov
(608) 266-7531
Housing
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAMS
Administered by: Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources (DEHCR)
There are 7 Affordable Housing Programs that fund home purchase and rehabilitation; single-family and multifamily development. Programs benefit low- to moderate-income individuals and families. Examples of programs include, the Homebuyer and Rehabilitation Program (HHR) provides home purchase assistance and home rehabilitation for individuals. The Wisconsin Help for Homeowners Program (WHH) provides assistance for mortgage and tax payments, refinancing, homeowner’s insurance, and utilities. Further details for each program can be found online.
More Information: https://energyandhousing.wi.gov/Pages/Housing.aspx
SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAMS
Administered by: Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources (DEHCR)
There are 13 Supportive Housing Programs that fund homeless and special needs programs. Various programs and contact information for each program can be found online.
More Information: https://energyandhousing.wi.gov/Pages/Housing.aspx
HOME HOMEBUYER AND REHABILITATION PROGRAM (HHR)
Administered by: Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources (DEHCR)
On a competitive basis, awards funding units of local government and local housing organizations to provide essential home purchase assistance and necessary home rehabilitation. Other eligible costs include energy-related improvements, accessibility improvements, lead-based paint hazard reduction, and repair of code violations for single-family housing units occupied by low and moderate-income households.
More Information: https://energyandhousing.wi.gov/Pages/AgencyResources/hhr.aspx
Contact:
HHR Program Manager
DOADOHHHRHCRl@wisconsin.gov
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS -HOUSING (CDBG-H)
Administered by: Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources (DEHCR)
CDBG-H projects must primarily benefit low-to-moderate income individuals and families. CDBG-H funds are primarily used for rehabilitation of housing units, homebuyer assistance, and small neighborhood public facility projects. CDBG dollars are flexible and responsive to local needs. Eligible activities include, removal of architectural barriers, conversion of buildings into LMI dwelling units, homeownership opportunities for renters, and more.
More Information: https://energyandhousing.wi.gov/Pages/AgencyResources/hhr.aspx
Contact:
Phone: (414) 270-4744
Fax: (414) 270-4775
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
Administered by: Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF)
Emergency Assistance (EA) provides a payment and a connection to resources for families facing a setback due to a housing emergency, including impending homelessness and domestic violence, natural disaster, fire, or an energy crisis.
EA can help you connect to resources in your community:
- Energy assistance;
- Housing resources;
- Child care;
- FoodShare;
- Healthcare;
- Counseling; and
- Financial education courses.
With EA you get cash assistance to help your family with an expense from the crisis you experienced.
More Information: https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/ea
Contact:
Check Eligibility Online: https://access.wisconsin.gov/access/
Find Local Office & Contact Information: https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/w2/parents/locator
Phone: (888) 757-4539
Economic Development
WEDC CONTINUOUS ECONOMIC CAPABILITY/CAPACITY RESPONSE
Administered by: Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)
WEDC, as a quasi-governmental agency, has the capability and flexibility and agility to stand up programs to address needs of local governments, tribes, regional planning commissions, regional economic development organizations, economic development organizations, non-governmental organizations, and businesses during an incident and/or through incident recovery.
More Information: https://wedc.org/programs/?fwp_programresources_catagory=business-development
Contact for Regional Economic Directors can be found online:
https://wedc.org/inside-wedc/contact-us#regional
Agriculture
FLOOD/PREVENTED PLANTING RESOURCES
Administered by: Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
A list of guides and programs for farmers and individuals related to reporting agricultural damages, food safety, home repairs, animal feed, manure issues, flooded farmlands, pets and livestock, storage tanks, and other farm aid resources from various agencies like the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Programs and guides address pre- and post-disaster.
More Information: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/floods.aspx
AGRICULTURE DAMAGE REPORTING
Administered by: UW-Extension
Teach, learn, lead, and serve, connecting people with the University of Wisconsin, and engaging with them in transforming lives and communities.
More Information: https://counties.extension.wisc.edu/
CONSERVATION RESERVE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (CREP)
Administered by: Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
CREP pays landowners to install filter strips along waterways or to return continually flooded fields to wetlands while leaving the remainder of the adjacent land in agricultural production.
More Information: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/CREP.aspx
Mitigation
HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAM (HMGP)
Administered by: Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs (DMA) Division of Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM)
Implements long-term, cost-effective mitigation actions to eliminate/reduce risk to life andproperty after a federal disaster declaration. The amount of funding made available is a percentage of total disaster costs and, therefore, will vary with each disaster. A project does not have to be in a declared county to be eligible.
More Information: https://wem.wi.gov/grants/
Contact:
Chad Atkinson
Mitigation Section Supervisor
chad.atkinson@widma.gov
(608) 888-5292
Multiple Category Programs
STATE TRUST FUND LOAN PROGRAM
Administered by: Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL)
This program provides loans to municipalities and school districts for the following:
- Local infrastructure
- Capital equipment, and vehicles including fire trucks and public safety vehicles
- Building repairs and improvements
- Refinancing existing liabilities to reduce future borrowing costs
- Economic development
- Acquisition and development of property for local businesses
- Environmental remediation
- Settlement of property taxes with your other local taxing entities
More Information: https://bcpl.wisconsin.gov/Pages/LoanProgramHomePage.aspx
Contact:
Richard Sneider
BCPLrichard.sneider@wi.gov
(608) 261-8001
FLOOD TOOL KIT
Administered by: Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)
A planning guide for health and emergency response officials and citizens to assist in preparing for and responding to flood events.
More Information: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/flood/index.htm
FLOODING: INFORMATION FOR RESIDENTS
Administered by: Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)
Guidance for clean-up of flooded homes, staying healthy after a disaster, surviving and recovering from a power outage, restoring storm-damaged buildings, salvaging water-damaged belongings, lawn and garden losses, financial recovery and risk management.
More Information: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/flood/residents.htm
MANAGING DEBRIS AND WASTE
Administered by: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
For communities managing storm debris, license and approval exemptions exist with certain operational requirements. Being familiar with solid waste regulations related to storm debris before an event can save on time and disposal costs. DNR has tools for communities, as well information on preparing to clean up, sorting through debris, separating and managing different types of debris, and how to properly dispose of multiple types of debris.
More Information: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Waste/StormDebris.html
Contact:
Casey Krausensky
DNR Program Coordinator
casey.krausensky@wisconsin.gov
(608) 577-3643
STORM DEBRIS CLEANUP ON WATERWAYS
Administered by: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Information specific to DNR Waterways Program regulations designed to help answer questions regarding cleaning up debris in lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands.
More Information: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Waterways/stormDebrisCleanup.html
COPING WITH FLOODING
Administered by: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Information that will help you keep your family safe in a flooding emergency and minimize damage to your property like what to do if you feel your well has become contaminated with floodwaters.
More Information: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/emergency/FloodCoping.html
MULTIPLE GRANT PROGRAMS
Administered by: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
DNR administers a wide variety of state and federally funded grant programs for topics ranging from land stewardships and recreation to non-point pollution, sewage and water systems, municipal flood control, and dam removal.
More Information: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/aid/Grants.html
MULTIPLE LOAN PROGRAMS
Administered by: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
DNR administers a wide variety of state and federally funded 0-to-low interest loan programs for counties and communities with topics ranging from land stewardships and recreation to non-point pollution, sewage and water systems, municipal flood control, and dam removal.
More Information: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/aid/Loans.html
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT – EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Administered by: Department of Administration (DOA) Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources (DEHCR)
The ARPA well compensation grant program provides funding to eligible landowners, renters or WI business owners to replace, reconstruct or treat contaminated private water supplies that serve a residence or non-community public water system wells.
More Information: https://energyandhousing.wi.gov/Pages/AgencyResources/CDBG-EAP.aspx
Contact:
EAP Program Coordinator
doacdbg@wisconsin.gov
(608) 266-7531
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT – DISASTER RECOVERY
Administered by: Department of Administration (DOA) Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources (DEHCR)
Funds are appropriated by Congress and allocated to Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Provides flexible CDBG fund to help cities, counties, states recover. Eligible uses include disaster relief, long-term recovery, restoration of infrastructure, housing, economic revitalization. Presidentially declared disaster required.
More Information: https://energyandhousing.wi.gov/Pages/AgencyResources/CDBG-DR.aspx
MULTIPLE PROGRAMS
Administered by: Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission (MRRPC)
The MRRPC provides planning and economic development services to improve the region’s environment, economy, and way of life. The MRRPC administers several funding sources and provides technical assistance. They cover Buffalo, Crawford, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Pepin, Pierce, Trempealeau, and Vernon counties.
More Information: https://mrrpc.com/loans-grants/
Contact:
plan@mrq2c.com
(608) 785-9396
MULTIPLE PROGRAMS
Administered by: Southwestern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SWWRPC)
The SWWRPC provides planning and economic development services to improve the region’s environment, economy, and way of life. The SWWRPC administers several funding sources and provides technical assistance. They cover Grant, Green, Iowa, Lafayette, and Richland counties.
More Information: https://www.swwrpc.org/services
Contact:
info@swwrpc.org
(608) 342-1636
ENERGY INNOVATION GRANT PROGRAM
Administered by: Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC)
This program supports energy reliability by providing resources, facilities, and alternatives to meet the needs of present and future utility customers.
More Information: https://psc.wi.gov/Pages/ServiceType/OEI/EnergyInnovationGrantProgram.aspx
Contact:
oei@wisconsin.gov
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Administered by: Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS)
The WHS is the federally designated State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for the state of Wisconsin. It maintains the historic preservation database and provides a listing of funding sources that can be further refined by county. They also provide information to help prevent and mitigate flooding damages to historical buildings and other cultural resources.
More Information: https://wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Search?nodes=*funding*
DISASTER LOANS
Administered by: Small Business Administration (SBA)
Provides low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, renters, and homeowners. Eligible costs must not be covered by personal insurance or FEMA, and include repair or replacement of real estate, personal property, machinery & equipment, inventory, and business assets that have been damaged or destroyed along with economic losses.
More Information: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance
Contact:
Robby Stoikes
Recovery Planning and Support Supervisor
robert.stoikes@widma.gov
(608) 242-3226
REFUGEE SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM
Administered by: Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF)
This program connects refugees with an array of services that include cash assistance, grants, employment opportunities, medical assistance, health programs, school assistance, and other services that are designed to support refugees.
More Information: https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/refugee
Contact:
Phone: (414) 270-4744
Fax: (414) 270-4775
E-mail: dcfrefugee@wisconsin.gov
WISCONSIN RECOVERY TASK FORCE (WRTF)
Administered by: Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs (DMA) Division of Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM)
The State of Wisconsin created the Wisconsin Recovery Task Force (WRTF) to coordinate state efforts in recovery regarding mitigation, agriculture, economic, housing, infrastructure, and health and social services.
The mission of the WRTF is to assist individuals, businesses, and communities in recovering from disasters quickly, safely, and with increased resilience.
More Information: https://wem.wi.gov/recovery
Contact:
Sam Liebl
Recovery Planner and IA Officer
samantha.liebl@widma.gov
(608) 316-5374
For more information on disaster recovery
Email: samantha.liebl@widma.gov
wem.wi.gov