Governor Ryan Announces 33 Counties Designated for Expanded Federal Disaster Assistance

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved his request to expand disaster assistance for 33 Illinois counties to include aid for units of local government affected by the recent storms, tornadoes and floods which began on April 21. The 33 counties are receiving the expanded federal assistance based upon a review of Preliminary Damage Assessments conducted by federal and state damage assessment teams.

The counties that are eligible to apply for Public Assistance include Alexander, Brown, Calhoun, Cass, Clark, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Fulton, Gallatin, Greene, Jackson, Jasper, Jersey, Johnson, Lawrence, Macoupin, Mason, Menard, Morgan, Moultrie, Pike, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, Shelby, Union, Wabash and Wayne.

Under the expanded assistance, units of local government in the counties that are eligible will be able to apply for federal funds to pay 75 percent of the approved costs for debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster, and repairing or replacing damaged public facilities such as roads, buildings and utilities. Affected local governments, state agencies and certain private non-profit organizations in the 33 counties are eligible to apply.

Procedures for requesting Public Assistance will be explained at a series of Applicant Briefings at locations to be announced by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA). Notifications will be sent to local officials in the designated counties within the next week.