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Press Release – Thursday, July 20, 2017
Governor Rauner Tours Flood Damage at W.J. Murphy Elementary School in Round Lake
State Unified Area Command Established in Kane County to Facilitate Continued State Support to Flood-Fighting Efforts in Cook, Kane, Lake, McHenry Counties
ROUND LAKE (July 19, 2017) – Gov. Bruce Rauner today toured flood damage and met with school administrators at W.J. Murphy Elementary School in Round Lake.
Earlier this week, Gov. Rauner directed the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) to establish a State Unified Area Command (SUAC) at the Kane County Government Complex in Geneva to facilitate the state’s support to communities and local governments impacted by recent flooding.
The SUAC is being staffed by personnel from IEMA, Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois Emergency Services Management Association and the American Red Cross. The command has been active since noon Monday.
"We are taking every necessary step to ensure our local responders have the tools and resources needed to aid affected residents," said Gov. Rauner. "We will continue to operate in response mode while we look toward recovery activities as progress is made in these areas."
"IEMA remains committed to ensuring necessary resources are available to our local emergency managers," said IEMA Director James K. Joseph. "In an effort to remain proactive in our response, the State Unified Area Command will be available to address current and future response and recovery assistance."
Gov. Rauner activated the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Springfield on July 15, following significant rainfall and severe weather in Northeastern Illinois.
In addition to the SEOC activation and establishment of SUAC, the state’s assistance to impacted communities includes:
An Emergency Management Assistance Team (EMAT) assisting in damage assessment operations in Lake County.
A Multiagency Resource Center (MARC) open in Round Lake Beach (Lake County) from July 20-22, where impacted residents can find additional resources.
650,000 sandbags having been distributed to county partners in the area and another 250,000 sandbags prepositioned to be utilized as needed.
Several IEMA staff members in the area providing support to emergency managers and to ensure they have the necessary resources.
Video of the event is here.