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On June 30, 2026, the Trump Administration approved Gov. Tony Evers' request for a major disaster declaration for Wisconsin counties impacted by recent severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding, including Waukesha County.
Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at 800-621-FEMA (3362).
Anyone using a relay service, such as a video relay service (VRS), a captioned telephone service, or another similar service, can give FEMA the number for that service.
How to Apply
For more information on the disaster assistance process, visit DisasterAssistance.gov or visit the site’s Frequently Asked Questions page at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/help/faqs.
When applying for assistance, make sure:
What information you need to provide when applying:
For help with your application or to apply by phone, call the FEMA Helpline:
If you disagree with FEMA’s decision, you may appeal:
For more information about the appeal process, visit https://www.fema.gov/assistance/individual/after-applying/appeals
FEMA & Small Business Administration In-Person Support
Waukesha County is hosting a team of FEMA and Small Business Administration (SBA) staff as part of in-person support for residents who experienced losses from the storms and flooding that occurred between April 13 and April 23.
In-person support will be available on Thursday, July 23 and Friday, July 24 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM in Room # 355 of the Waukesha County Administration Building at 515 W Moreland Blvd, Waukesha, WI 53188.
At the In-Person Support Site residents can find:
In response to a Presidential disaster declaration issued on June 30, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced the availability of low-interest disaster loans for Wisconsin businesses, private nonprofits, and residents affected by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding occurring April 13 - 23, 2026.
Waukesha County businesses, private nonprofits, and residents located in the declared disaster area may be eligible for financial assistance through the SBA's Physical Damage Loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL).
Apply now!
No need to wait for insurance to settle to start your application.
To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA's Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.
For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
Physical Damage Loans
Deadline to Apply: August 31, 2026
Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)
Deadline to Apply: March 30, 2027
Home and Personal Property Loans
Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles.
Benefits for homeowners and renters
Homeowners may receive up to $500,000 to cover damages to primary home
Homeowners may receive up to $100,000 to replace personal property, including vehicles
Zero interest accrued and zero payments for the first year
Fixed interest rate and up to a 30-year repayment plan
What you need to apply
Government ID
Recent Federal Income Tax Return
Contact Information (For you and all additional applicants, if applicable)
Financial Information (Income and monthly expenses)
Insurance Information (Details of existing coverage and claims, if available)
Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.
What SBA Offers
Receive up to $2 million to cover costs like payroll, inventory, rent, and utilities
Low fixed interest rate with repayment terms up to 30 years
Zero interest accrued and zero payments for the first year
What you need to apply
Government ID and Business EIN
Recent Federal Income Tax Return
Contact Information (For you and all additional applicants, as applicable)
Financial Information (Income and monthly expenses)
Insurance Information (Details of existing coverage and claims, if available)
Business Physical Disaster Loans
Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, and private universities are also eligible.
What SBA Offers
Receive up to $2 million to cover physical damage and financial hardship
Low fixed interest rate with repayment terms up to 30 years
Zero interest accrued and zero repayments for the first year
Additional funding available to strengthen your property and protect against future disasters
What you need to apply
Government ID and Business EIN
Recent Federal Income Tax Return
Contact Information (For you and all additional applicants, as applicable)
Financial Information (Income and monthly expenses)
Insurance Information (Details of existing coverage and claims, if available)
The Internal Revenue Service has announced tax relief for Wisconsin residents and businesses affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that began on April 13, 2026.
Affected taxpayers now have until November 2, 2026, to file certain federal tax returns and make certain federal tax payments.
Who Qualifies
You may qualify for this IRS tax relief if you live in, own a business in, or have necessary tax records located in one of the counties included in the federal disaster declaration.
What is the New Deadline?
For many affected taxpayers, the new deadline is:
November 2, 2026
This deadline may apply to federal tax filing and payment deadlines that were originally due on or after:
April 13, 2026
and before:
November 2, 2026
What Tax Deadlines are Extended?
The November 2, 2026, deadline may apply to:
Affected taxpayers will generally not face penalties for late estimated tax payments as long as those payments are made by November 2, 2026.
Disaster Losses and Damaged Property
If you had disaster-related property losses, you may be able to claim those losses on your federal income tax return.
This may include losses from:
You may be able to claim eligible disaster losses on either:
Losses must generally be reduced by insurance payments or other reimbursements.
Taxpayers claiming a disaster loss should include the FEMA disaster declaration number (4923-DR) on their return.
Disaster Relief Payments
Certain disaster relief payments may not count as taxable income.
This may include money received from a government agency for reasonable and necessary expenses, such as:
Taxpayers should keep records of all disaster-related assistance and expenses.
What If You Are Contacted by the IRS?
If the IRS contacts you about a collection matter, audit, or examination, explain how the disaster affected you.
The IRS may be able to provide additional consideration based on your situation.
Some affected taxpayers may still receive an IRS notice for late filing or late payment.
If you receive a penalty notice from the IRS and the original deadline falls within the disaster relief period, you should:
Do not ignore IRS notices, even if you believe you qualify for disaster relief.
What If You Do Not Qualify for This Disaster Tax Relief?
Taxpayers who do not qualify for automatic disaster tax relief may still be able to request penalty relief for reasonable cause.
This depends on the taxpayer’s specific circumstances.
If you are unsure how this relief applies to you, contact the IRS or a tax professional.
For more information, visit the IRS's Tax Relief During Disaster Situations page.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance Available for Eligible Wisconsin Workers
If you lost work because of the severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that occurred April 13 through April 23, 2026, you may be able to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance, also called DUA.
DUA may help workers who are unemployed or partly unemployed because of the disaster and who do not qualify for regular Unemployment Insurance benefits.
What is Disaster Unemployment Assistance?
DUA is a federally funded program under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Act. The program provides unemployment benefits to those affected by a federally declared disaster as long as the individual does not qualify for regular state unemployment insurance and the individual is unemployed or partially unemployed as a direct result of the disaster.
Unlike regular unemployment, the DUA program also covers those who are self-employed and become unemployed because of the disaster. Note: Monetary loss due to property damage or crop damage does not automatically entitle an individual to DUA benefits.
How to Apply
1. Apply for UI
File as soon as possible by applying online at my.unemployment.wisconsin.gov.
You must first apply for regular unemployment benefits in your Claimant Portal by choosing "File Claim" and following the instructions.
Have the following information available:
Employers' business names.
Employers' addresses (including zip code).
Employers' phone number.
First and last dates of work with each employer.
Reason for no longer working with each employer.
2. Request DUA
From the "My UI Home" page of your Claimant Portal, choose "If you want to apply for DUA, click here." and request a DUA application be mailed to you.
3. Submit Documentation
You must provide proof of your employment, self-employment, or work that was to begin on or after the date of the disaster.
Mail or fax proof of employment with your application or within 21 days after submitting your application. Mail to DUA, P.O. Box 7905, Madison, WI 53707 or fax to (608) 327-6171.
Acceptable proof includes:
For Employment or Self-Employment
Copies of 2025 Federal Tax Forms (including the 1040, W-2 forms, and any schedules).
Paychecks and stubs.
Work You Were Not Able to Start Because of the Disaster
A dated offer letter or email.
More Information
For more information on the DUA process, visit Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) page.
For help using online services, or if you are unable to go online, call the DUA Hotline at (608) 318-7100 Monday through Friday during business hours.
Waukesha County is committed to keeping residents informed through official channels. We encourage the community to monitor our social media platforms and website for ongoing updates.
Ready Wisconsin's April 2026 Severe Storms and Flooding Situation Page
Families with lower income may qualify for cash assistance through the DCF Emergency Assistance program
Additionally, below are a few other state agency resources that may be beneficial:
PRIVATE WELL-OWNERS
If you’re unsure if your well has been impacted by flooding, you should assume it’s been contaminated.
Signs that a well may be affected by a flood include:
Floodwaters that came into contact or ran over the top of a well.
Noticeable changes in the taste, smell, or color of the water.
Use safe water for drinking, food preparation, and personal hygiene until your well water is tested and found to be free of bacteria. Safe water is:
1) Bottled water
2) Tap water that has been boiled for one minute
3) Water from an uncontaminated well
To ensure safety, test private well water for bacteria. Test kits are available through Waukesha County’s Environmental Health Division.
Get Well Water Tested: Order a test kit here: https://www.waukeshacounty.gov/.../private-well-water.../
MUNICIPAL WATER USERS:
Contact your local water utility regarding water safety concerns; follow any instructions provided.
Run water faucets for at least five minutes before using water for drinking or food preparation.
Additional Resources:
Documenting Damage After A Flood
Additional Flood Safety Resources
