Two Weeks after Disaster Authorization, FEMA Has Brought $8.6 Million in Assistance for Illinois 

Release Date: October 17, 2008
Release Number: 1800-014

» More Information on Illinois Severe Storms and Flooding

CHICAGO, Ill. -- In the two weeks since a federal disaster was declared, federal grants totaling more than $8.6 million have been approved for Illinois. The funding helps individuals and families recover from the severe storms and flooding that hit the state's northeastern counties Sept. 13-Oct. 5.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) announced the grants. More than $8.1 million of the aid is for housing assistance, while more than $515,000 is for needs other than housing.

Housing assistance includes grants for repairing and rebuilding damaged property or assistance with paying rent for people displaced by the disaster. Other needs assistance includes repair or replacement of personal property damaged or destroyed by the disaster, transportation, moving and storage expenses, or any other serious disaster-related needs.

As of close of business Thursday, FEMA had provided grants to 2,796 households with $7,786,583 disbursed. Additional approved funds were in the process of being disbursed.

"FEMA has moved quickly to help people affected by these storms rebuild and recover," said FEMA's Federal Coordinating Officer Libby Turner. "We are processing applications, inspecting damaged property and making decisions promptly. We continue to encourage anyone in the seven designated counties, whether insured or not, who had disaster-related damages or losses, to register with FEMA."

FEMA has received more than 8,000 registrations for assistance from people in the seven counties declared for individual assistance:  Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, LaSalle and Will.

FEMA inspectors have documented damage at more than 4,000 properties. There are 90 FEMA inspectors in the field.

Individuals can register for assistance by calling the FEMA HELPLINE at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585 or online at www.fema.gov.  The telephone lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Monday, 20-Oct-2008 08:50:54