Governor Quinn Declares Kankakee County State Disaster Area

SPRINGFIELD – June 10, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today declared Kankakee County a state disaster area as a result of damage to several homes following last Saturday’s tornadoes.

In addition, state emergency management officials today asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to conduct thorough damage assessments in Kankakee and the four Illinois counties Governor Quinn declared state disaster areas earlier this week. Those counties are LaSalle, Livingston, Peoria and Putnam.

“As I said when I toured tornado damage in Dwight earlier this week, we’re looking for every possible avenue to help the people who lost their homes or have homes that need major repairs,” said Governor Quinn. “It was heartbreaking to see the devastating loss so many people suffered, and we will not stop working to find a way to help them in their time of need.”

The FEMA damage assessment is expected to begin early next week.

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) continues to coordinate the state’s assistance to communities dealing with the storm’s aftermath. Crews and equipment from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and work crews from the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) are in Magnolia and Streator again today to assist with debris removal. In addition, a truck and end-loader from IDOT are supporting cleanup efforts today in Dwight.

“IEMA will work alongside FEMA, the Small Business Administration and local officials during the damage assessments to ensure that all of the tornado damage is documented,” said IEMA Interim Director Joe Klinger. “The federal damage assessment is an important and necessary step to give us a clearer picture of whether or not we might qualify for some form of federal assistance.”

Additional information about the state’s storm response efforts is available at www.Ready.Illinois.gov.