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Press Release – Wednesday, June 19, 2019
Possible online services disruption due to Internet related outage
State Agencies Stand United to Offer Comprehensive Recovery Assistance for those Impacted by Extensive Spring Flooding
Website will help Illinoisans report damage, debris and identify help within their local communities
SPRINGFIELD -- The State of Illinois launched a comprehensive website (www.Illinois.gov/2019Floods) dedicated to disaster recovery. Governor JB Pritzker has instructed agency directors across state government to make resources available to help local communities recover from this devastating flood. From emergency housing assistance to replacing SNAP benefits or agricultural aide, countless state agencies have come together to offer help to those affected by severe, widespread flooding.
“This flood event has had an unprecedented reach – impacting residents, business owners, farmers and entire communities,” said Acting IEMA Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau. “Disasters take a toll on one’s physical and mental health. As Illinoisans begin to clean-up their businesses and homes, we also want to make mental health a priority. We are proud to partner with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to offer a free informational Helpline – a much needed lifeline for those impacted by this disaster.”
“As a lifelong farmer I know firsthand how stressful farm life can be in a normal year, but this year has been exceptionally hard on our farmers not only financially, but mentally,” said John Sullivan, Director, Illinois Department of Agriculture. “If you need help please reach out to someone. Know you are not alone in feeling the pressure to secure your crops.”
The 2019 Illinois Flood Recovery website provides information on:
- Debris and Damage Reporting Tools
- Recovery resources- Emergency Housing and Mortgage Assistance, Availability of Multi-Agency Resource Centers, Health and Safety, Agricultural Resources, Fraud Alert information and Disaster Volunteer Organizations.
- Mental Health Helpline
- Road/Travel Updates
- Press Releases
- County Emergency Management contacts
“If you or your family has been impacted by the flooding, storms, or power outages, we want to help,” said IDHS Secretary Grace Hou. “We’ve helped hundreds of families in the past week receive replacement Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits when their food purchased with SNAP was destroyed by the storms or power outages. Please call 1-800-843-6154 or visit a local IDHS office to request replacement SNAP.”
As many communities begin to eye the clean-up and recovery process, Illinois’ Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) stand ready to help those in need. Among those organizations is the American Red Cross. The organization provides cleaning supplies (such as buckets, bleach, mops, brooms, gloves, and trash bags), disaster counseling and timely referrals to other disaster relief organizations. All assistance provided by the American Red Cross is free of charge.
To date, Governor JB Pritzker has issued a state disaster proclamation for 34 counties in Illinois due to the extreme flooding along the Illinois, Mississippi rivers and its tributaries. Once the water recedes, counties will begin compiling damage assessment information, which will be turned into IEMA in order to submit a request for a federal disaster declaration.