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Governor declares state of emergency
For flooding in Grant, Crawford, Richland, Iowa counties
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Gov. Scott Walker today declared a state of emergency in Grant, Crawford, Richland and Iowa counties as of the result of the flooding since Saturday.

Parts of those four counties received as much as 13 inches of rain between Friday overnight and Monday overnight.

The declaration authorizes the call-up of the Wisconsin National Guard as determined necessary by the state adjutant general to assist in recovery efforts.

“The damage caused by flooding in Wisconsin has the full attention and resources of the State,” said Walker in a news release. “I have instructed state agencies and the Wisconsin National Guard to aid those affected by the flooding as they recover and rebuild.”

The news release indicated how residents of those four counties can access state government services:

• The Department of Administration will work with communities to make emergency assistance funds available to eligible homeowners for rehabilitation work. Funds for qualifying businesses will also be made available as well as funds to repair public infrastructure, where eligible. Local communities are being directed to work with the state Division of Housing to apply.

• The Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection will connect farmers with crop damage and livestock shelter needs for assistance and counseling through the Farm Center and Animal Health Division. To contact the division, call 1-800-942-2474 or click here.

• The Department of Natural Resources will provide assistance for residents and local governments concerned about well contamination. The DNR is monitoring dams in the affected areas, and will make available assistance for flood mitigation to eligible communities. The DNR also will also open up public lands for farmers with fields impacted by flooding to mow hay for livestock, as the DNR did last year due to the drought. For more information click here.

• The Office of Commissioner of Insurance will make assistance available for property owners filing flood-related claims. Homeowners can contact the OCI helpline, 1-800-236-8517, for assistance with homeowner insurance coverage, or go to www.OCI.wi.gov.

• The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority will provide access to emergency funding for local assistance organizations giving assistance to affected residents. WHEDA will work with homeowners with WHEDA home loans. For more information, call 1-800-562-5546.

• The Department of Transportation will work with communities to make funds available for infrastructure repair. The Wisconsin State Patrol is also managing road traffic and closures in the affected areas. Staff is inspecting and documenting impacts and damages to infrastructure, including the deployment of soil engineers to survey mud slides.

• The Department of Health Services is in contact with local health departments to provide assistance. DHS will be working with the DNR to monitor water quality concerns and will continue to work with other state and local partners to provide public health assistance. For more information on flooding from DHS, click here.

• The Department of Corrections was assisting in Crawford County with two teams from Prairie du Chien Correctional Institution to assist with flood damage in Gays Mills and Prairie du Chien. The inmates helped with sandbagging and debris clean-up. County emergency managers can contact correctional institutions to request additional assistance.

Flood warnings are in effect for the Kickapoo River between Readstown and Steuben, and the Mississippi River from McGregor to Dubuque.

The state of emergency also includes Vernon, Ashland and St. Croix counties.