A truck passes by a repaired stretch of County A just west of Highway 14 on Janesville’s east side. The dark-paved stretch is new pavement, part of a replacement of a stretch that washed out 5 feet deep during the April 17 flash floods. It cost Rock County $60,000 to fix the stretch.
A truck passes by a repaired stretch of County A just west of Highway 14 on Janesville’s east side. The dark-paved stretch is new pavement, part of a replacement of a stretch that washed out 5 feet deep during the April 17 flash floods. It cost Rock County $60,000 to fix the stretch.
JANESVILLE — As Rock County awaits an answer from FEMA on whether it will land federal disaster aid after April flash flooding damaged parts of county roads, officials are turning to the State of Wisconsin for other possible sources of emergency funding.
The county is now applying for funds through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Disaster Damage Aids Program, which would be available to governments if a major disaster declaration is denied. The Disaster Damage Aids Program provides financial aid to address defects caused by a disaster event to a highway that is not a part of the State Trunk Highway System.
The application was approved by the county’s Highway Public Works Committee on Tuesday.
If approved, the funds could reimburse some costs tied to county repairs to two stretches of highways — one on the west side of the county, and one on the east.
The county seeks aid for damage to about 400 feet east of Highway 14 — which is expected to cost $60,000 — and Highway H near Hanover. The Highway H project is expected to cost about $15,000.
On Highway A, the shoulder and road at cross culverts were washed out about five feet under the asphalt pavement, which led to a road closure. On Highway H, the shoulder and road were washed out north and south of Bass Creek between Race Street and Footville at Hanover Road.
The WisDOT disaster aid program would reimburse up to 75% of replacement costs plus up to 50% of the cost of any improvements needed.
The county expected FEMA to give a Stafford Act declaration by the end of May. A Stafford Act would authorize FEMA disaster response. FEMA checked damaged homes in the county the week of May 4 with Rock County Emergency Management, the U.S. Small Business Association and the City of Janesville.
FEMA returned to check buildings the week of May 11 with the City of Janesville, Rock County Emergency Management and Wisconsin Emergency Management.
The county submitted a site assessment to the state in May, hoping to receive funds through the Stafford Act.
For road damages to be eligible, the damage must have made the roads impassable.
The county also plans to apply for aid funds through a separate program, the Wisconsin Disaster Fund. Through that program, the state reimburses 70% of eligible costs.
Rock Coutny Director of Public Works Duane Jorgenson said the goal is to have the two alternative applications in place in case the county does not hear from FEMA and to weigh what options could net the most aid dollars.
