Trump Approves Disaster Aid for Six States After Storms, Floods/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump approved federal disaster aid for six states and tribes affected by storms and flooding this spring and summer. The approvals bring relief to Kansas, North Carolina, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and tribal communities in Montana and South Dakota. Critics note delays in the process, while governors push for expanded assistance.
Trump Approves Disaster Relief for Six States: Quick Looks
- Federal aid approved for Kansas, North Carolina, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and tribes in Montana and South Dakota.
- Approval delays ranged from 15 to 56 days, continuing a national trend.
- Wisconsin received individual assistance, while other states got public assistance for governments and nonprofits.
- Gov. Tony Evers (WI) estimates $76M+ in damages; asks for expanded aid.
- Trump has now approved 30+ disaster declarations since January.
- White House says reviews are “more thorough” to safeguard tax dollars.
- Governors in both parties thanked the administration, though Evers omitted Trump.
- Trump often announces approvals on his social platform, highlighting GOP allies.
- Despite approvals, Trump has not signed hazard mitigation assistance since February.
- Delays raise concerns about recovery efforts for housing, infrastructure, and daily living needs.
Trump Approves Disaster Aid for Six States After Storms and Floods
Deep Look
President Donald Trump has approved federal disaster declarations for six states and tribal nations hit by storms and flooding earlier this year, the White House announced Thursday. The approvals open the door for millions in federal aid but also underscore ongoing concerns about delays in delivering disaster relief.
Which States and Tribes Are Covered
- Kansas
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Wisconsin
- Tribal nations in Montana and South Dakota
While Wisconsin residents will receive individual assistance for housing, living expenses, and home repairs, the other states and tribes primarily received public assistance for governments and nonprofits. That support helps fund debris removal and infrastructure rebuilding. Officials noted that Wisconsin could later qualify for public assistance as well.
Delays in Approval
In most cases, the disaster declarations came more than a month after requests were submitted. The wait times ranged from just 15 days for Wisconsin to 56 days for a tribal request in Montana dating back to May.
According to an Associated Press analysis, the average wait time for disaster approvals has lengthened over the decades:
- 1990s–2000s: Less than two weeks on average
- Past decade: Roughly three weeks
- Trump’s first term: 24 days on average
- 2025 approvals: Averaging 34 days before the latest round
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson defended the process, saying Trump is conducting “a more thorough review of disaster declaration requests than any administration has before him,” ensuring responsible use of federal funds.
Impact on Recovery
Delays can have major consequences for communities. Without timely approval, residents wait longer for federal checks to cover essentials like temporary housing and food. Local officials are also forced to gamble on recovery projects without knowing if the federal government will reimburse expenses for cleanup and infrastructure.
Wisconsin’s Case
The most recent declaration came for Wisconsin, where August flooding caused severe destruction across six counties. Gov. Tony Evers estimated:
- 1,500+ homes destroyed or damaged
- $33 million in residential losses
- $43 million in public sector damage
Trump approved assistance for only three counties, prompting Evers to push for broader coverage. “I will continue to urge the Trump Administration to approve the remainder of my request,” Evers said, thanking Democratic colleagues but notably omitting Trump or Republican officials.
Political Undertones
Trump announced several of the disaster approvals—including Wisconsin’s—on his own social platform, tying the announcements to his political victories in those states and emphasizing Republican leadership there. Democratic North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein thanked Trump publicly, while GOP leaders in other states also expressed gratitude.
Trump has been unusually active in approving clusters of disaster requests. He signed off on seven declarations on July 22 and nine on May 21, suggesting a preference for addressing multiple requests at once.
Hazard Mitigation on Hold
Despite frequent approvals of public and individual assistance, Trump has not approved any hazard mitigation grants since February. These programs historically help communities rebuild with more resilient infrastructure—fortifying levees, elevating homes, or strengthening power grids against future disasters. The absence of such aid raises concerns about long-term recovery.
Looking Ahead
With hurricane season underway and storms intensifying across regions, more disaster requests are expected in the coming months. Trump’s latest batch brings his total to over 30 major disaster declarations since January, highlighting the growing pressure on federal relief systems as climate-related events increase in frequency and severity.
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