Winter Storm Damage Results In Federal Disaster Designation

Union County has been included in a federal disaster declaration which was issued by President Barack Obama in the aftermath of a late-January winter storm which caused extensive damage throughout the area.

The nine counties included in the declaration include Union,  Alexander, Gallatin, Hardin, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski and Saline.

The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, on Monday, March 2, announced in Washington, D.C., that federal disaster aid has been made available for Illinois.

The federal assistance is designed to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by a severe winter storm during the period of Jan. 26-28.

U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Ill., on Tuesday applauded the president's decision to declare the nine counties a disaster area. Costello had urged the president in February to issue the declaration.

The storm caused as much as $16 million in damages.

The storm left behind heavy layers of sleet, snow and freezing rain. The frozen precipitation led to the collapse of a number of structures in the region.

Costello said the declaration will allow state and local governments to recover 75 percent of their extraordinary storm-related costs.

"This is a very timely decision that will greatly help recovery efforts," Costello said in a news release.

Union County officials also were pleased to hear that the assistance was being made available. Union County commissioners John Garner and Don Denny said this week that the assistance should be a boost for the area.

Acting FEMA Administrator Nancy Ward said federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter storm in the nine counties.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for all counties within the state.

Nancy M. Casper has been named the federal coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area.

Casper said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama’s major disaster declaration issued for Illinois.

Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:

Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas and similar publicly owned property, as well as certain private non-profit organizations engaged in community service activities. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for removing debris from public areas and for emergency measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health.  (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

Payment of not more than 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters.  (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)

How to Apply for Assistance:

Application procedures for local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials.

Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.