Stephenson, Winnebago counties could get flood disaster aid

Aug. 29--The governor is seeking the state's first federal disaster declaration since 2013 in an effort to help businesses, local governments and homeowners recover from damage caused by several months of major flooding.

The declaration could provide additional chances for property owners in Stephenson and Winnebago counties to seek reimbursement for flood damage.

Gov. JB Pritzker announced the request Thursday in a news release that detailed more than $69 million in direct losses caused by the flooding, including $61 million in losses for state, county and local governments and more than $8.2 million in losses for individuals.

That number is more than triple the $19.2 million -- or $1.50 per Illinois resident -- in damages necessary to qualify the state for aid through the federal government.

Robert Baker, director of the Stephenson County Emergency Management Agency, said if the federal disaster declaration is granted, residents and business owners could apply for grants and special loans to help cover the costs of flood damage.

Taxing bodies also could seek reimbursement. Baker said he submitted more than $700,000 in flood-related damage for reimbursement.

"It should turn around and bring federal dollars back to the counties and the villages and those who have proof of costs," he said.

The state requested assistance in 33 counties, with 21 of them receiving both individual and public assistance, 11 receiving just public assistance and one receiving just individual assistance. Winnebago and Stephenson counties are listed under both types of aid.

The state's application was submitted to FEMA, which will make a recommendation to President Donald Trump as to whether disaster should be declared. The president has the final say as to whether it will be granted, and there is no deadline as to when a decision is due.

"I think we're on step two of about 18 steps," Baker said.

If the president signs off, then begins a three-step process for applicants to validate their claimed expenses with FEMA officials, and then another more than 12-step process "before we see a check in our hands," Baker said. "I don't have any idea what the time frame is, especially as FEMA staffing is stretched out all over. There have been so many disasters, they're all stretched."

Pritzker's office said more than 1,000 miles of roadway and bridges across the state were damaged or left inaccessible, many of which are still not opened.

The flooding affected more than 1,400 homes and 2.1 million people, with 42 homes destroyed, 178 sustaining major damage, 419 with minor damage and 708 impacted by rising floodwaters.

A Small Business Association survey identified 76 businesses and nonprofits with major impacts from this disaster and 217 with minor impacts.

Rockton Mayor Dale Adams said homes and businesses in the community are not located in the floodplain, but some municipal parks and electrical panels were damaged by floodwaters. That damage totaled about $30,000, he said, and the village's insurance company covered $19,000 of that cost. If Illinois receives the federal disaster declaration, he said village officials would try to receive reimbursement for the remaining amount.

Jerry Nowicki: jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois

Kristen Zambo: 815-987-1339; kzambo@rrstar.com; @KristenZambo

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