Wisconsin Governor Declares State of Emergency

Flooding and severe storms prompt statewide emergency declaration.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 10:54pm

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A dramatic landscape painting in the style of Caspar David Friedrich, showing a flooded rural scene with a small farmhouse dwarfed by a vast, stormy sky filled with dark clouds, conveying the overwhelming power of the natural disaster.As severe storms continue to batter Wisconsin, the governor's declaration of a statewide emergency underscores the scale and intensity of the flooding crisis unfolding across the state.Green Bay Today

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has declared a State of Emergency in response to widespread flooding and severe weather impacting communities across the state. The declaration comes as the state braces for additional storms and aims to ensure access to emergency resources and support for local response efforts.

Why it matters

Declaring a State of Emergency allows the governor to mobilize state resources and request federal assistance if needed to help communities respond to and recover from the impacts of the severe weather. This declaration underscores the seriousness of the situation and the potential for significant damage and disruption to homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure.

The details

Governor Evers cited the need to ensure communities have access to all available resources to support local response efforts, restore essential services, and secure homes and buildings as the severe weather continues to move across the state. Emergency and first responders, as well as volunteers, are already working to assist those impacted and prepare for additional storms.

  • The State of Emergency was declared on Wednesday evening, April 15, 2026.

The players

Gov. Tony Evers

The governor of Wisconsin who declared the statewide State of Emergency in response to the severe weather and flooding.

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What they’re saying

“'After severe storms that swept across the state and more still to come, it is critical that we ensure our communities have access to every available resource to help local folks and families in need and secure essential infrastructure.'”

— Gov. Tony Evers

“'We are grateful to all of the neighbors, emergency and first responders, local partners, and volunteers, who are already working to support each other, respond to damages, restore essential services, and ensure that homes, buildings, and other important structures are as secure as we prepare for more severe weather to come. I encourage Wisconsinites to be sure to stay alert, look out for your neighbors, and take good care of each other as these storms continue moving across our state.'”

— Gov. Tony Evers

What’s next

The State of Emergency declaration will allow the state to coordinate a comprehensive response and recovery effort, including requesting federal assistance if needed, as the severe weather continues to impact Wisconsin.

The takeaway

This statewide emergency declaration underscores the seriousness of the flooding and severe storms affecting communities across Wisconsin. It will enable the mobilization of critical state resources and support to help local responders protect public safety and begin the recovery process.