Feds declare 9 Wis. counties disaster areas

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Federal officials have declared nine Wisconsin counties disaster areas after floods swept through them last month.

The declaration makes government agencies across the counties eligible for federal and state reimbursement of most of their recovery costs. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will cover 75 percent of the expenses and the state will cover another 12.5 percent.

The declaration includes Buffalo, Clark, Jackson, Juneau, Marathon, Portage, Taylor, Trempealeau and Wood counties.

Storm-fed flooding along the Black, Trempealeau and Wisconsin rivers began on Sept. 22. Emergency officials estimate the flooding caused more than $7.42 million in damage to public infrastructure.