FEMA Approves Gov. Pritzker Request for Individual Assistance for St. Clair County Flooding

Springfield – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today approved a disaster declaration that opens individual assistance for areas in St. Clair County affected by late July flooding.

“We requested a disaster declaration on behalf of residents impacted by the catastrophic flooding in St. Clair County,” said Gov. JB Pritzker. “I appreciate President Biden approving this disaster declaration to get Illinoisans the assistance they need. We will continue to work closely with our federal and local partners, along with the voluntary organizations that are already working hard to help.”

On July 25, flooding began to inundate parts of St. Clair and Washington Counties, with emergency evacuations encouraged as water surged through streets, houses, apartments, and businesses.

IEMA Director Alicia Tata-Nadeau said, “We greatly appreciate this federal assistance for residents in St. Clair County. Many not only lost their homes and possessions. IEMA was on the ground in St. Clair County when the flooding and worked with residents to document losses. We are grateful to Gov. JB Pritzker for declaring an Illinois disaster proclamation on Aug. 3 for the affected areas in St. Clair County.”

Officials in St. Clair County are relieved to hear of the declaration. St Clair County Chairman Mark Kern said, “The St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency along with our local communities worked hard to document the impact of this disaster throughout our county. We are happy to receive this Federal Declaration to assist us as we continue our recovery efforts countywide. We appreciate the unwavering support of our state and federal leaders."

East St. Louis Mayor Robert Eastern III said, “On behalf the great city of E. St Louis, our council members, community stakeholders and those concerned about the impact of July's devastating flood, I would like to thank President Biden and his staff, Gov. JB Pritzker, our federal, state, and local representatives for their hard work to ensure that East St. Louis is now declared a FEMA flood disaster area.”

“Mr. President, I speak for the father who did not know how he was going to cover the required repairs; for the mother who has to work to figure out where her family will sleep each night, the homeowner who was unsure how they would rebuild; this declaration will filter federal funds directly to those who are the most in need, our citizens.”

He continued, “We are thankful for your partnership in helping us rebuild the ‘City of Champions’.”

Individual assistance can help survivors in three ways:

• Homeowners and renters who sustained damage to their homes, vehicles, personal property, businesses, or inventory may apply for disaster assistance.
  
  
• Assistance can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, emergency home repairs, uninsured and underinsured personal property losses, medical and dental costs caused by the disaster, and other serious disaster-related expenses.
  
  
• Disaster assistance grants are not taxable income and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid, medical waiver programs, welfare assistance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, food stamps, Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability Insurance or any other federal benefits.
  

Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA): www.Ready.Illinois.gov 

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