Declaring Disaster As Flood Clean-Up Continues
By Marcus Gilmer in News on Jul 27, 2010 7:00PM
This weekend's flooding across Northeast Illinois has prompted a flurry of declaration activity from local government. Yesterday, Gov. Quinn declared 12 counties as disaster areas and today Cook County Board President Todd Stroger issued his own proclamation for Cook County, hoping to bolster the push for federal aid for homeowners who sustained flood damage to their homes. Per the Trib:
To qualify for funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Cook County has to suffer at least $17 million in storm damage, according to Dave Ramos, executive director of the county's Emergency Management Agency. "I believe we will exceed that number," Ramos said.Residents who suffered damage should photograph it, and fill out a form with their municipality, which will then pass it up the food chain, Ramos said. The faster local assessments are completed, the faster federal money can start flowing in, he said.
The City of Chicago has previously asked for money to help cover damage incurred during those raucous storms in late-June. Earlier this summer, the towns of Dwight and Streator were actually denied FEMA aid money to assist in cleanup following tornadoes earlier this summer.
The Red Cross has a helpful guide on how to handle flooding clean-up.