Citizens urged to report storm damage

Jun. 24--GALESBURG -- Knox County was added to the State Disaster Proclamation late last week as a result of the recent flooding in the Land of Lincoln.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker added Knox and Henry counties to the list June 21.

That means Galesburg Fire Chief Tom Simkins, as the Knox County Emergency Management Agency coordinator, is working to "formulate an impact assessment for the county, which will assist the State of Illinois in building a case for a Federal Disaster Declaration," a city news release said last week.

"Knox County's last federally declared disaster was in the spring of 2013 when heavy flooding impacted a large section of the state."

There hasn't been a federal disaster declaration yet, the city news release said.

What the state declaration means is there will be public assistance, for damage to infrastructure, and individual assistance, such as homeowners and renters who had to make repairs not covered by insurance. The guidelines for the program can be found online at .

"If (area residents) had flooding in their basement or lost equipment or some outlay of costs, they should report that," Simkins said. "On the public side, the city has some costs down at the (Mississippi) River for keeping the generators running" at the Oquawka water treatment facility.

But Simkins said Happy Hollow Drive, which had a sinkhole on its private road in Dahinda, wouldn't be included in public assistance because it's a private road.

"There's sometimes Small Business Administration loans that the state or feds will give out, so that might be something Happy Hollow might qualify for, but that's a different deal. That's a loan," he said.

"We're trying to do what we can for Happy Hollow in trying to find a non-governmental grant ... maybe try to get some help for that, but it's just a little difficult when it's a private road."

Citizens are encouraged to call the Knox County Emergency Management Agency -- (309) 345-3756 -- to report damage that resulted in non-insured costs.

"It's not meant to replace insurance," Simkins said. "On the public assistance side, it won't cover everyday costs like salaries, but it would cover costs like overtime."

Area residents and public entities, such as school districts, cities and townships, are encouraged to turn in information in the next week or two. But to get the funding Knox County has to meet a certain threshold, about $194,000 for the county, so that's why Simkins wants to hear from as many people or entities as he can.

"The sooner the better. If they got questions they can call our office."

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