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Gov.
Blagojevich asks for federal assistance for Winnebago and Stephenson
counties after flooding
Federal
disaster declaration would help with recovery from losses
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[August 22, 2007]
SPRINGFIELD -- On Tuesday, Gov.
Rod R. Blagojevich asked President Bush to declare Winnebago and
Stephenson counties a major disaster area as a result of flash
flooding on Aug. 7 that damaged numerous homes and businesses. A
federal disaster declaration would enable people in the area to
apply for grants and loans to help with storm-related losses, while
businesses would be eligible to apply for low-interest loans.
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 The governor also directed state emergency management and water
resources officials to closely monitor levels in rivers and streams
in northern Illinois and to work with local officials in those areas
on preparedness measures if water continues to rise."Twice in
less than a year have floods disrupted the lives of people who live
in the Rock River Valley," Blagojevich said. "In fact, some people
had just finished repairing the damage from last year's flood when
flash flooding struck again. There's no doubt in my mind that
federal disaster assistance is needed to help people recover, and I
urge the president to approve my request quickly so people can start
putting their lives back together."
Blagojevich's request followed damage assessments conducted last
week by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small
Business Administration and the Illinois Emergency Management
Agency. In Winnebago County, the damage assessment found that nearly
590 single or multifamily homes sustained flood damage, including 12
homes that were destroyed and another 99 homes that received major
damage.
In Stephenson County, the damage assessment showed that more than
230 homes received flood damage. No homes were destroyed in the
county, but 17 received major damage, with the rest receiving lesser
levels of damage.
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If granted, the federal disaster declaration would make assistance
available, including assistance for individuals and households,
which can include cash grants to help with temporary housing, home
repairs and replacement, and other disaster-related costs. The state
also requested low-interest loans through the SBA, as well as hazard
mitigation assistance, which could help fund projects to prevent
similar flooding in the future.
Blagojevich declared Winnebago County a state disaster area on
Aug. 7 and Stephenson County a disaster area on Aug. 8. The state
has worked closely with officials in both counties to assess the
damage and offer assistance.
The governor said officials from the Illinois Emergency
Management Agency and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Division of Water Resources were dispatched to areas along the Fox
and Des Plaines rivers in northern Illinois on Monday to survey
water levels and meet with local officials on preparedness measures.
While no requests for state assistance have been received at this
time, Blagojevich said the state stands ready to assist affected
communities, and state officials will remain in the area until the
flooding threat passes.
[Text from file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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