Disaster Recovery Information

 

The state disaster declaration makes available a wide variety of state resources that can help affected communities respond and recover from the storms. The state of Illinois has mobilized personnel and assets to help local government officials with disaster recovery, including conservation police officers, communication equipment and light towers.

All state roads, with the exception of a two-mile portion of Illinois 72 just north of Fairdale, are open. The state has started damage assessment flights around the hardest hit areas.

The State Incident Response Center (SIRC) in Springfield was activated Thursday afternoon and will remain operational as long as necessary. Liaisons from several state agencies are working with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) to coordinate the deployment of state personnel and assets to assist local governments in the affected areas.

Illinois' tornado response and tornado safety is available on the Ready Illinois website at www.Ready.Illinois.gov.  

Illinois Emergency Management Agency

American Red Cross Rock River Chapter - The Red Cross is working with local law enforcement to determine how we can best help people in the counties affected by severe weather today. Volunteers are also in the process of opening a shelter in the town of Rochelle in Ogle County.
To find an open shelter near you visit www.redcross.org/nss. Available shelters can also be found by downloading the free Red Cross Tornado App which can be found in the Apple ITunes or Google Play stores.


News Updates:

WREX: Red Cross opens shelter in Rochelle, IL


This information will be updated as it is available to our office:

12:30 CST Update from Governor Bruce Rauner:
"Governor Bruce Rauner today declared DeKalb and Ogle counties state disaster areas after severe storms and tornadoes ripped across Illinois. At least two people in DeKalb County are reported dead and roughly a dozen more injured. Dozens of homes and businesses have been damaged or destroyed.

"The state disaster declaration makes available a wide variety of state resources that can help affected communities respond and recover from the storms. The state of Illinois has mobilized personnel and assets to help local government officials with disaster recovery, including conservation police officers, communication equipment and light towers.

"All state roads, with the exception of a two-mile portion of Illinois 72 just north of Fairdale, are open. The state has started damage assessment flights around the hardest hit areas.

"The State Incident Response Center (SIRC) in Springfield was activated Thursday afternoon and will remain operational as long as necessary. Liaisons from several state agencies are working with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) to coordinate the deployment of state personnel and assets to assist local governments in the affected areas."


11:00 AM CST Update:

The Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce is a drop off location for cases of water, non-perishable food items, and blankets for those affected by last nights devastating tornadoes until 4 PM. The Mendota High School Baseball Team will be delivering the items collected today when they go to Kirkland-Hiawatha for a double header tomorrow on behalf of the whole Mendota community.

Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce
800 Washington Street
P.O. Box 620
Mendota, Illinois 61342
 

 

10:00 AM CST Update: 

Memo from the FEMA Region V - Congressional Affairs Office:

After severe storms and tornadoes impacted central and northern Illinois yesterday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Region V office urges all residents to remain vigilant, especially for potential power outages and dangerous road conditions as a result of downed power lines and debris. Our thoughts are with residents as they begin the recovery process.

Here's what people can do to begin recovering from the storm:

  • Residents facing a life threatening situation are urged to immediately dial 9-1-1 or your local emergency response number.
  • If your home has suffered damage, contact your insurance agent to file a claim.
  • Be careful when entering any structure that has been damaged. If you suspect damage to water, gas, electric, or sewer lines, contact authorities.
  • Wear sturdy shoes or boots, long sleeves and gloves when handling or walking on or near debris.
  • Do not touch downed power lines or objects in contact with downed lines. Report electrical hazards to the utility company or local authorities.
  • Use battery-powered lights, if possible, rather than candles due to the fire hazard.
  • Make a list of damaged or lost items and include their purchase date and value with receipts, and place with the inventory you took prior to the storm. Some damaged items may require disposal, so keep photographs of these items.
  • In many parts of the Midwest, basement flooding can occur when there are heavy rains in a short amount of time. Individuals whose homes are flooded/flooding should:

o   Document damages and keep track of expenses incurred;

o   Contact their insurance company to report damage/file a claim;

o   With extreme caution, take actions available to limit the damage to personal items such as remove them from the basement or raise them off the floor.

 To learn more about what to do after severe weather, visit www.Ready.gov

Click here for PDF version of this memo.

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  • 725 N. Lyford Road, Suite 3 Rockford, IL 61107
  • P: (815) 708-8032
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Rockford District Office