Rauner Requests FEMA Aid for McHenry and Other Counties

A press release from Governor Bruce Rauner:

Gov. Rauner requests FEMA teams for flood damage assessments

Assessments will start Friday in Lake, McHenry, Kane and Cook counties

SPRINGFIELD (Aug. 17, 2017) – Gov. Bruce Rauner asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to join the state in conducting damage assessments in areas of Lake, McHenry, Kane and Cook counties after record and near-record flooding in July.

Governor Bruce Rauner and other public officials (see State Rep. David McSweeney in the foreground) visit LaFox River Drive in Algonquin on July 14, 2017.

The request was submitted after initial damage assessments conducted by county officials documented nearly 300 homes that suffered major damage or were destroyed and more than 3,000 others that also were affected by flood waters.

“Many people in these counties are struggling to recover from this flood, and we want to do everything possible to help them,” Gov. Rauner said.

“These damage assessments will provide a clearer picture, not only of the damage, but also of what people need in order to fully recover from this disaster.”

Personnel from FEMA, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and local emergency management agencies are expected to begin assessing damage to homes and businesses Friday morning. The assessments will continue through the weekend until complete.

IEMA also is working closely with municipalities, counties and other governmental bodies in the four impacted counties to document their costs related to the flooding. That assessment will help determine whether the state could meet the federal threshold of $18.3 million for assistance that could help government agencies receive reimbursement for some of those flood-related expenses.

The State Emergency Operations Center in Springfield was activated for two weeks to support flood fighting efforts in these four counties, along with subsequent flooding in the northwestern part of the state.

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McHenry County Emergency Services advises that 556 homes were touched by water.


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