Barack Obama

Durbin, Obama: IL Delegation Members Urge President Bush to Provide Federal Assistance to Fifteen Southern Illinois Counties

Friday, May 23, 2008

For Immediate Release
Contact: Christina Mulka (Durbin) or Michael Ortiz (Obama)

Additional damage discovered after original request for assistance was denied

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barack Obama (D-IL) today asked President Bush to declare fifteen southern Illinois counties federal disaster areas after severe flooding hit the area in March. The Illinois Senators were joined by Congressmen Jerry Costello (D-IL), Tim Johnson (R-IL) and John Shimkus (R-IL) in their support of Governor Rod Blagojevich's appeal of the President's April 28 denial of a request for federal assistance for the following counties: Alexander, Franklin, Gallatin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Marion, Massac, Perry, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Union, White and Williamson.

As a result of the denial of federal assistance, the Illinois Emergency Agency (IEMA) requested a second Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) which found additional damage to residences in four of the 15 counties that were included in Blagojevich's original request for Federal assistance. In all, the storm destroyed 64 homes and damaged more than 300 homes.

"Additional resources are badly needed in communities throughout Illinois that have been stretched to the limit in recent months," said Durbin. "I am glad to join with my colleagues in Congress and in supporting Governor Blagojevich's request for federal funding that will allow these communities to fully recover from the storms."

"Illinoisans affected by the destructive flooding in March deserve federal relief to rebuild as quickly as possible," said Senator Obama. "Fifteen counties in my home state endured significant damage, and we must ensure these families and businesses have the resources to recover. I strongly urge the President to reconsider his denial of federal assistance for those who are struggling to rebuild their lives."

The federal disaster declaration was originally requested on April 8 as a result of severe flooding that began on March 17. The storm and floodwaters destroyed 39 homes and damaged more than 500 homes and 145 businesses. Further damage to roads, bridges, water control facilities and other public infrastructure have been reported although the full extent cannot be measured until the waters recede and local governments can conduct an initial assessment.

If the state's request for federal assistance is approved, communities could apply for Individual Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Individual Assistance includes aid to individuals and households which can include cash grants to help with temporary housing, home repairs and replacement, and other disaster-related costs. Hazard Mitigation Assistance includes funding for measures designed to reduce future losses to public and private property. Hazard mitigation opportunities are assessed in most situations.

Additionally, small business administration loans can be provided under an "SBA disaster assistance" declaration by the SBA Administrator even if the President denies the major disaster declaration and includes three types of loans to qualified homeowners and businesses - home disaster loans to homeowners and renters, business physical disaster loans to business owners and economic injury disaster loans to small businesses and small agricultural cooperatives. A federal disaster declaration includes SBA assistance under the Individual Assistance program at FEMA.

text of letter below

May 23, 2008

The Honorable George W. Bush
The President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

We write to support Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's request for a federal disaster declaration for fifteen counties in southern Illinois as a result of flooding beginning March 17, 2008. Governor Blagojevich declared these counties state disaster areas on March 20, 2008.

Severe storms in late March produced extremely heavy rain and flooding in Alexander, Franklin, Gallatin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Marion, Massac, Perry, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Union, White, and Williamson Counties. As a result of the denial of federal assistance to aid residents in southern Illinois, it was necessary for the Illinois Emergency Agency (IEMA) to request a second Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA), which was completed on May 21, 2008, by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This PDA was able to verify the extent of damage to those homes that were inaccessible in April due to standing flood water in three counties since the initial PDA. According to the additional information from the second PDA, the storm's damage assessment has increased. In all, the storm destroyed 64 homes and damaged more than 300 homes, and it continues to present a disaster recovery situation that is beyond the capability of the State and affected local governments. Flood waters have also damaged roads, bridges, water control facilities, and other public infrastructure, which was discovered after the water receded.

This is the fourth flood event for Illinois in the last year that has warranted federal disaster assistance. Constant flooding has exhausted the resources of many of the local governments affected by the most recent storms. We respectfully request that you make the necessary declaration so that the residents of these fifteen counties can receive federal disaster assistance. The flooded area in the fifteen counties has a population that is 45 percent low-income, and federal assistance through the programs administered by FEMA will help them to recover from this devastating flood. We thank you in advance for your timely consideration of this important request and stand ready to assist in any way appropriate.

Sincerely,

Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator

Barack Obama
United States Senator

Jerry Costello
United States Representative

John Shimkus
United States Representative

Timothy V. Johnson
United States Representative