May 30, 2008

Gov. Rod Blagojevich has asked President Bush for federal assistance to help local governments in 21 southern Illinois counties recoup some expenses related to the March floods, including costs for response and recovery efforts, as well as repair or replacement of public property.

A recent assessment of the flood’s impact on southern Illinois units of local government conducted by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) documented flood-related expenses totaling more than $12 million.

Counties included in the Governor’s request for federal assistance are Alexander, Fayette, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jasper, Johnson, Marion, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Richland, Saline, Union, Wayne, White and Williamson.

The Governor also declared Jasper, Richland and Wayne counties state disaster areas as a result of the March floods. The other counties requested today were included in a state disaster declaration issued by the Governor on March 20. Counties must be declared state disaster areas before they can be considered for federal disaster assistance.

Last Week, Gov. Blagojevich submitted an appeal asking the federal government to reconsider its denial of federal disaster assistance for people and businesses in 15 southern Illinois counties affected by severe flooding in March. That request is still pending.