U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Applauds $500,000 in Assistance for Families and Communities Affected by Northern Wisconsin Flooding

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin applauded an announcement from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago that $500,000 in financial assistance will be available through local financial institutions to individuals and business owners in northern Wisconsin communities impacted by the severe storms and subsequent flooding that occurred on July 11-12, 2016.  The assistance is being provided by banks, savings institutions, credit unions, community development financial institutions and insurance companies that are members of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBC).  Grants of $5,000 will be available through the FHLBC’s Community First® Disaster Relief Program to eligible households and small businesses located in disaster areas designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA disaster declaration DR-4276), which include Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Florence, Iron, Sawyer, and Washburn counties, and the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa Tribe.

“Torrential rain and flooding has caused severe damage in many northern Wisconsin communities,” said Senator Baldwin. “I applaud this announcement from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago. This assistance will help northern Wisconsin homeowners and businesses affected by the flooding repair, rebuild and get back on their feet.”

The funding will be available until March 24, 2017, on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible households or small businesses that apply for a disaster assistance grant through any FHLBC member financial institution.  A list of members can be found by visiting www.fhlbc.com.  Potential applicants should contact the member institution directly to see if they qualify for assistance.

In July, Senator Baldwin traveled to northern Wisconsin with the Wisconsin National Guard to tour areas most affected by flooding in that area. After witnessing sections of highways and roads that had been destroyed, Senator Baldwin sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Foxx urging emergency federal funds to repair and reopen roads. As a result, U.S. DOT provided Emergency Relief funds to help expedite repairs. 

More information about the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago and the Community First Disaster Relief Program is available here.