FEMA Rejects Illinois's Request For Tornado Relief
By Chuck Sudo in News on Jan 10, 2014 8:30PM
Governor Pat Quinn said he would appeal a ruling by FEMA to deny the state’s request for federal disaster relief for nine counties hit hard by tornadoes in November.
Quinn requested federal aid for local governments in Champaign, Douglas, Grundy, Massac, Tazewell, Vermilion, Washington, Wayne and Woodford counties Dec. 19 for the storms that rolled through Illinois Nov. 17. FEMA said the documented damage wasn’t severe enough. To qualify for federal disaster relief Illinois must document at least $17.8 million in damages which, according to FEMA’s calculations, is the state’s population multiplied by $1.35. Tornado-related expenses include emergency protective measures, debris removal and repair or replacement of government-owned facilities incurred by the nine counties and the state has to date totaled $6.1 million.
“While we appreciate FEMA’s partnership in helping individuals and businesses recover, I’m disappointed in this decision,” Quinn said. “My Administration will immediately work to develop a strong appeal that demonstrates how much this assistance is needed. The state of Illinois will continue doing everything necessary to help our hardest hit communities rebuild and recover from these historic tornadoes.”
Quinn’s request also factored in other impacts from the tornadoes such as weather conditions delaying the debris pick-up and rebuilding and previous natural disasters to his the state like the floods of April 2011 and April 2013.
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