8 counties, Bad River Band qualify for federal help

MADISON, Wis. (AP) ~ Eight Wisconsin counties and the Bad River Band have qualified for federal assistance to recover from July flood damage.

Gov. Scott Walker earlier requested the aid to help the counties and the Lake Superior Chippewa Tribe with costs for removing debris and repairing infrastructure. Price County did not sustain enough damage to qualify for the federal assistance.

The counties named in the declaration are Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Florence, Iron, Sawyer and Washburn, along with the Bad River Band.

A number of storms hit the area beginning July 11. Up to 12 inches of rain in some areas caused flash flooding and washed out roads and bridges.

Preliminary assessments show the storms caused more than $25 million in damage to public infrastructure.