IEMA mobilizes joint quick reactionary task force to serve area

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency, IEMA, reported on June 13 that it had mobilized a joint quick reactionary task force in Alexander County to assist with emergency flood fight operations in communities along the Mississippi River, including in Union County. 

IEMA said in a news release that the task force will be stationed in East Cape Girardeau 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The task force will be able to support evacuations, if needed, in the region. 

IEMA has task forces established in Hardin, Jerseyville, Valmeyer and East Cape Girardeau.

IEMA and county emergency managers continue to stress the importance of formalizing a family evacuation plan.  

Flood events have the potential to not only impact homes, but also the roads that are used to access work, the doctor and grocery store.  

Additionally, because families may not be together when an evacuation order comes in, having a family communications plan can ensure all family members have the essential information and knows where to meet up post-evacuation.

The state emergency operation center in Springfield has been mobilized since mid-March to assist local communities battling flooding along the Illinois and Mississippi rivers and their tributaries.  

A state unified area command, or SUAC, also remains activated in Winchester to coordinate assistance with the response efforts in the affected regions throughout the state.