Governor Quinn Announces Federal Disaster Aid Approved for 14 Additional Counties
Federal Grants, Low-Interest Loans Will Help Families and
Businesses Recover from Historic Floods
SPRINGFIELD – Governor Pat Quinn today announced 14 more counties were approved for federal disaster aid to help people and businesses recover from historic flooding in mid-April. Counties approved today include Bureau, Crawford, Henderson, Knox, Livingston, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, Peoria, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell and Woodford. These add to 11 counties already approved for federal aid last week.
“I thank the Obama administration for quick approval of my request for federal assistance to help people recover from this devastating flood,” Governor Quinn said. “This action will help speed assistance to people who suffered flood damages and help them begin rebuilding their lives.”
The state’s request was supported by damage assessment documentation that identified 14 homes in the area that were destroyed and 202 that suffered major damage. Thousands of additional homes were also affected by the floods. More than 800 homes in those counties were surveyed.
The governor’s request for federal assistance was supported by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Illinois’ entire congressional delegation.
The federal disaster declaration makes assistance available to flood 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.
On May 10, Governor Quinn’s request for federal aid for Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Fulton, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, McHenry and Will counties was approved.
“We will begin working immediately with FEMA to ensure flood victims can get needed help as quickly as possible,” Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director Jonathon Monken said.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which administers the assistance program, has a toll-free telephone number (800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for hearing and speech impaired) for victims to apply for assistance. Registration can also be done online at http://disasterassistance.gov.
Damage assessments are continuing in many other counties hit by severe flooding and additional requests for federal assistance to help citizens in those counties are expected.
courtesy: IEMA, www.iqesda.com
Governor Quinn Announces Approval of Federal Flood Relief for 11 Counties
Impacted Families Eligible to Apply for Grants and Low-Interest Loans; Businesses Can Apply for Low-Interest Loans
CHICAGO – Governor Pat Quinn today announced President Barack Obama has approved his request for federal assistance to help people and businesses in 11 Illinois counties recover from historic flooding in mid-April. The announcement comes just one day after Governor Quinn submitted his request for Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Fulton, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, McHenry and Will counties.
“I thank President Obama for his fast and responsive approval of our request for federal assistance to help families across Illinois recover from this devastating flood,” Governor Quinn said. “This quick action will help speed relief to the people of Illinois who suffered flood damages and help them begin rebuilding their lives.”
The federal disaster declaration will help people and businesses in the 11 counties by allowing them to apply for grants and loans to assist with storm-related losses.
Governor Quinn submitted a request for federal disaster assistance to President Obama on Thursday. The request was supported by damage assessment documentation that identified 41 homes in the 11-county area that were destroyed and 761 that suffered major damage. Thousands of additional homes were also affected by the floods. More than 3,500 homes in those counties were surveyed.
The federal disaster declaration makes assistance available to flood 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,” IEMA Director Jonathon Monken said.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which administers the assistance program, has a toll-free telephone number 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY for hearing and speech impaired) for victims to apply for assistance. Registration can also be done online at www.disasterassistance.gov.
Damage assessments are continuing in many other counties hit by severe flooding and additional requests for federal assistance to help citizens in those counties are expected.
IEMA Highlights Employee Disaster Preparedness
Home, Workplace Emergency Planning Can Protect Employees
SPRINGFIELD – Recent widespread flooding affected many businesses and their employees in Illinois. While most disasters can’t be prevented, emergency planning can help businesses keep employees safe in the workplace, and home emergency plans can keep those employees safe in their homes.
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) is highlighting employee preparedness throughout May as part of its 2013 preparedness campaign.
“Businesses that emphasize emergency preparedness both in the workplace and for their employees at home help protect their most important assets, their employees,” said IEMA Director Jonathon Monken. “Throughout May, we’re encouraging businesses to take a look at their workplace emergency plans, conduct safety drills and encourage their employees to put together a home emergency supply kit and family communications plan.”
Monken said his agency plans to provide preparedness information and tips to staff throughout May.
Businesses that don’t already have an emergency plan should start by assessing the threats in their area, such as tornadoes, flooding, earthquakes or blizzards. Using that assessment, develop a plan that addresses each threat, taking into consideration time of day and different shifts. It’s also important to include a way to monitor hazardous weather, such as a NOAA weather alert radio, as well as a system for alerting employees of approaching hazards.
Businesses should practice the emergency plan regularly so employees are familiar with the actions to take if a real emergency occurs.
Employers can help employees be better prepared for emergencies at home by providing information on how to assembly a home emergency supply kit and develop a family communications plan, as well as the importance of a weather alert radio in the home. Information on these and other preparedness topics is available on the Ready Illinois website at www.Ready.Illinois.gov.
Does your family have a disaster plan?
By CHELSEY BYERS {reprinted from News-Gazette}
It’s tornado season here in the Midwest, and no matter the age, we need to discuss with our families what we should do in the case of an emergency or natural disaster.
I was about 7 or 8 the first time I remember having to take cover in our basement because of a tornado. When the sirens went off, my mom told my brother and me to grab our sleeping bags and a toy to take into the basement. I remember not being able to choose a single toy, so I loaded up as many dolls and toys that I could get into my sleeping bag and dragged them with me; I couldn’t just choose one!
We were probably only down in the basement for 15-20 minutes, but to this day, when I hear tornado sirens go off, I know that I need to grab pillows and blankets and seek immediate shelter as low as I can go – or in a well-supported interior place like a bathroom.
Preparation for any emergency is key. First, you need to look at what could affect your family home. Illinois is prone to many weather-induced disasters: tornadoes, floods, ice storms, lightning strikes, etc. You also should think about house fires and even the remote possibility of an earthquake.
When developing a plan for your family, consider all members of your family, including pets. For each type of emergency, identify the safe place – whether inside or out – where the family will go in the event of that type of emergency.
It is suggested to have enough food and water for up to three days for each family member along with some basic first-aid supplies.
Include in your plans anyone who might have special needs, such as a baby who needs formula or someone on vital medication.
Discuss and practice escape routes with children so they know how to get to that location. As a child, I knew that if there was a fire, we were to meet at the turnaround on the driveway – and we all headed to the basement with a blanket during possible tornadoes. Discussion and practice will help keep children calm and safe in scary moments.
When there is a chance for bad weather, it is always good to tune in to local radio, television or online information.
At times, you might be without power. A battery-powered NOAA weather radio might be a good item to keep in your home for such cases. (Since this item is not used regularly, change the batteries in your weather radio twice a year when you change your fire alarm batteries.)
Another good idea is to have a kit of vital records ready to grab and bring with you after the emergency. You will then have the names, numbers and information you need. It also is wise for families to have a small disaster supply kit.
I have just briefly touched on some things to think about with disaster preparedness. For more information, visit http://web.extension.illinois.edu/disaster/guide/g_facts.cfm.
Don’t forget that families should review disaster plans annually and make necessary updates.
For more information on this topic or other family life-related topics, contact Chelsey Byers at the University of Illinois Extension office, 801 N. Country Fair Drive, C. She may also be reached at 333-7672 or at clbyers [at] illinois [dot] edu.
Contact Info for Iroquois-Ford County EMA / ESDA >
The Iroquois County Emergency Management Agency (EMA / ESDA) Office works in conjunction with the Ford-Iroquois Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and the Ford-Iroquois Department of Public Health in promoting safety and wellness for its citizens.
Iroquois County: Carl Gerdovich, EMA Coordinator 815-432-6997
Ford County: Dennis Higgins, EMA Coordinator 815-379-9413
Your Right To Know . . .
With the adoption into law of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA), this HazMat map increases the public’s awareness of hazardous materials within our bi-county jurisdiction. In the event of any emergency situation, the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and other local emergency responders will be notified and the communities will be informed how to proceed.
For more information or how to become an active member in the local Ford-Iroquois LEPC Committee – contact:
Andy Johnson – F-ILEPC Chairperson andy [at] gilmanboondocks [dot] com or call him at 815-341-3188
Lori Yates – LEPC Secretary layates [at] iroquoismemorial [dot] com or call her at 815-432-7755