City of Janesville receives $445,000 from FEMA for debris, flood cleanup
JANESVILLE — The City of Janesville is still working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to determine how to allocate more than $445,000 in Public Assistance funding it has landed so far for damage caused by April’s severe storms and flooding. Kelly Bedessem, the city’s housing and emergency management director, said the city is working through damage estimates and costs associated with several recovery projects, including storm debris cleanup, damage to skylights at City Services and flood mitigation efforts along the city’s Greenbelt. Bedessem said she was not yet certain which specific projects would receive the newly announced funding, but debris cleanup could account for a significant portion of the reimbursement. The city is continuing to work with FEMA to establish the full extent of the damage and determine eligible costs for repairs and mitigation. That process includes assessing damage to storm sewer outfalls, culverts and other infrastructure, as well as debris carried downstream by floodwaters. Engineers have been surveying the Greenbelt to document damage and develop more detailed cost estimates, Bedessem said. The city also is working with FEMA representatives on a weekly basis to review the estimates and ensure the damage is properly documented. The funding is part
