Governor Quinn Announces Federal Assistance Approved for 14 Southern Illinois Counties

SPRINGFIELD - June 7 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today announced that the federal government approved his request for a federal disaster declaration to help people and businesses in 14 Southern Illinois counties recover from recent flooding and severe storms. Under the federal declaration, people and businesses in Alexander, Franklin, Gallatin, Hardin, Jackson, Lawrence, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, White and Williamson counties are now eligible to apply for federal disaster assistance.

"This assistance is an important step on the road to recovery." said Governor Quinn. "We are going to continue doing all we can to help those impacted by flooding to rebuild and recover."

Governor Quinn submitted a request for federal disaster assistance to President Obama on May 24. The request included documentation from a damage assessment that found 109 homes destroyed by severe storms and flooding, nearly 350 homes that suffered major damage and 500 others that were also damaged. The assessment, which was conducted by representatives from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Businesses Administration (SBA), also found 87 businesses that sustained damage from the floods and storms.

The federal disaster declaration makes assistance available to flood and storm victims, including grants to individuals and households to help with temporary housing, home repairs or replacement and other disaster-related expenses, as well as low-interest SBA loans to residents and businesses.

"We will begin working immediately with FEMA to ensure flood victims can get needed help as quickly as possible," said IEMA Director Jonathon Monken.

FEMA, which administers the federal assistance program, has a toll-free telephone number (800-621-FEMA (3362) or 800-462-7585 (TTY) for hearing and speech impaired) for those affected by flooding to apply for assistance. Registration can also be completed online at www.fema.gov.

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