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 "With floodwaters beginning to recede in several areas, it's time
to focus on the recovery process," Blagojevich said. "It's important
now that we find out how extensive the damage was to homes,
businesses, roads and critical infrastructure in order to determine
if we could be eligible for any type of federal assistance. I want
to explore every possibility for helping the people of southern
Illinois get the help they need to recover from this devastating
flood."
On March 20, following heavy rains that dumped up to 12 inches of
rain in some parts of southern Illinois, Blagojevich declared 19
southern Illinois counties state disaster areas: Alexander, Fayette,
Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson,
Marion, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Union, White
and Williamson.
This week Illinois Emergency Management Agency officials began
contacting local emergency managers in the affected counties to seek
their assistance with determining the number of homes and businesses
that were damaged or destroyed by floodwaters. In addition, state
emergency management officials are also contacting local officials
for estimates of costs to repair damaged public property, such as
roads and bridges, as well as costs incurred by local governments
for emergency response and removal of flood-related debris.
IEMA Director Andrew Velasquez III said that once his agency
receives initial information from local officials, he will request
personnel from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small
Business Administration to conduct visual assessments of the damage
alongside IEMA staff. That process, which could start early next
week, may take two to three weeks to complete, after which Velasquez
and his staff will review the data and determine if it would support
a request for federal disaster assistance.
"In order to submit a request for federal disaster assistance, we
need to compile good, solid data and information that would support
our contention that assistance is needed and justified," Velasquez
said. "We want do this as quickly as possible, while also ensuring
that if we submit a request for federal assistance, we're able to
provide a complete, thorough picture of how seriously this flood has
affected people, businesses and local governments in southern
Illinois."
In order to seek federal disaster assistance, the state must be
able to prove that the ability to recover from the disaster is
beyond the capability of local and state governments. Federal
assistance can include cash grants for individuals and households to
help with temporary housing, home repairs and replacement, medical,
dental, funeral, and other disaster-related costs; low-interest
loans to people and businesses through the U.S. Small Business
Administration; and assistance to local and state governments for
extraordinary costs for response and recovery to the disaster,
including emergency work, debris removal from public roads, and
repair or replacement of infrastructure. The state can also seek
hazard mitigation assistance, which could help fund projects to
prevent similar flooding and storm damage in the future.
The state continues to work closely with officials in southern
Illinois to ensure they receive any assistance needed during flood
response and recovery efforts.
[to top of second column]
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 State assistance coordinated to date through the State Emergency
Operations Center to flooded parts of southern Illinois:
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Illinois Emergency Management Agency deployed five regional
coordinators and additional regional staff on-site.
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IEMA conducted an aerial assessment of flooding throughout
southern Illinois from an Illinois State Police airplane.
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IEMA deployed the agency's satellite vehicle to provide live
video of flooding to the State Emergency Operations Center.
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Illinois Department of Natural Resources deployed conservation
officers and jon boats to assist with evacuations and rescues in
Alexander, Pulaski and Saline counties.
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Professional engineers from IDNR's Office of Water Resources
conducted assessments of the levee systems throughout the affected
region.
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The Illinois Department of Corrections sent inmate crews to
several communities to help fill sandbags, and inmates at the Tamms
Work Camp filled sandbags at the facility.
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The Illinois Department of Transportation transported sandbags,
pumps and other equipment to southern Illinois for deployment.
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Illinois State Police brought in additional officers to provide
law enforcement support throughout the affected area.
-
ISP pre-staged tactical officers, boats and equipment in southern
Illinois for potential rescue missions.
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ISP and IDNR established safety patrols at several levees.
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Illinois Department of Public Health provided portable toilets
and drinking water to Pulaski County.
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IDPH monitored long-term care facilities affected by flooding to
ensure the safety of residents.
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IDPH coordinated with water departments in the region to ensure
the public is aware of any water quality issues that may result from
the flooding.
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The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is checking with
local water treatment and wastewater plants throughout the affected
area to assess flood effects and ensure public safety.
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IEPA responded to a flood-related train derailment near West
Vienna and assessed environmental effects.
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The Illinois Department of Human Services opened a shelter at the
Choate Mental Health Center in Anna for people affected by the
flood.
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The American Red Cross, a partner with the state during
disasters, opened nine shelters to provide mass care, food and
shelter to people affected by the flood.
[Text from file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information] |
