Durbin, Obama: Disaster Declaration for Six Illinois Counties Will Help Severe Storm Recovery
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Printable FormatFor Immediate Release
Contact: Christina Mulka (Durbin) or Amy Brundage(Obama)
Three counties still waiting for assistance
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barack Obama (D-IL) today praised the decision by President Bush to declare six Illinois counties – DeKalb, Grundy, Kane, LaSalle, Lake and Will – federal disaster areas. The President’s disaster declaration triggers the release of federal funds to help people and municipalities recover from severe storms and flooding which occurred in that area August 20 – August 31, 2007. The President’s declaration includes the possibility that additional designations may be made at a later date after further evaluation.
“Although the power is back on, and the flooding is long gone, residents and business owners are still facing a mountain of challenges. This Presidential disaster declaration will now start the process of matching needs with money,” said Durbin. “There is a tremendous amount of work ahead of us. Damage estimates show that nearly 70 homes were destroyed and another 160 homes received major damage. I am hopeful that the federal restoration efforts will begin dealing with the most seriously affected residents first.”
“The families and businesses in our communities affected by the floods this summer deserve our assistance in rebuilding,” Senator Obama said. “The Delegation pulled together quickly to make sure this request was granted and residents of the six affected counties will get the help they need. I will work to ensure the funds are allocated quickly for all affected Illinoisans.”
Durbin and Obama noted that federal disaster assistance falls into three general categories: Individual Assistance, Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Assistance. DeKalb, Grundy, Kane, LaSalle, Lake and Will Counties are designated for Individual Assistance which provides assistance for individuals and households. This can include cash grants to help with temporary housing, home repairs and replacement, medical and other disaster-related costs. DeKalb, Kane and LaSalle Counties are designated for Public Assistance which provides assistance to local and state governments for extraordinary costs for response and recovery to the disaster. This can include emergency work, debris removal from public roads and repair and replacement of disaster-damaged public facilities or infrastructure. Additionally, all Illinois counties have been designated for Hazard Mitigation Assistance which includes funding for measures designed to reduce future losses to public and private property.
The U.S. Small Business Administration can also make low-interest loans available for repairing or replacing homes, personal property or businesses that sustained damages not covered by insurance.
Of the nearly 70 homes that were destroyed in a nine-county area 62 were in DeKalb County and six in LaSalle County. In addition to the 160 other homes in the area that received major damage; nearly 4,800 other homes received lesser damage. In addition, 169 businesses in the area suffered damage, including six businesses that suffered major damage. The assessment teams also determined that it will cost local and state government agencies almost $23 million to respond to the flooding and severe storms. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency is coordinating the state’s response.
On September 14, members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation asked President Bush to declare nine Illinois counties federal disaster areas after severe flooding storms hit the area earlier this month. The affected counties in northeastern Illinois included: Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Lake, LaSalle, McHenry, and Will.
Members who signed on to the letter in addition to Senators Durbin and Obama include: Representatives Judy Biggert (R-IL), Dennis Hastert (R-IL), Don Manzullo (R-IL), Peter Roskam (R-IL), Bobby Rush (D-IL), Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL), Dan Lipinski (D-IL), Rahm Emanuel (D-IL), Danny Davis (D-IL), Melissa Bean (D-IL), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL). The Illinois lawmakers made their request in a letter to the President in support of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich’s request earlier that day for federal disaster assistance.