Teams to Begin Assessing Flash Flood-Related Costs to Local Governments, Damage to Homes in Northwest Illinois Next Week
Save Email Print
Bookmark and Share
Posted: 12:03 PM Aug 19, 2011
Teams to Begin Assessing Flash Flood-Related Costs to Local Governments, Damage to Homes in Northwest Illinois Next Week
IEMA, FEMA and SBA will visit Carroll, Jo Daviess, Stephenson counties to document storm impact
width:200 and height: 150 and picwidth: 200 and pciheight: 150
Font Size:

SPRINGFIELD (WIFR) -- State and federal assessment teams will be in Northwestern Illinois next week to document costs to local governments and damages to homes and businesses caused by flash flooding that struck the area July 27. The teams will include representatives from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

“This region has suffered through two devastating storms in the past year,” said IEMA Director Jonathon Monken. “These damage assessments will help us determine the extent of the damage from the most recent storm and what type of assistance may be available to help these communities recover.”

Governor Pat Quinn declared Carroll, Jo Daviess and Stephenson counties state disaster areas on Aug. 10.

Beginning Monday, four assessment teams will assess damage to homes and businesses while four additional teams will meet with local officials to determine extraordinary expenses related to the storm, including overtime and repairs to public infrastructure or property.

Monken said assessments should be completed by the end of the week. The state will then review the data and determine if it would support a request for federal assistance.
More Stories



FAMILY DISASTER PLAN
Families should be prepared for all hazards that could affect their area. NOAA’s National Weather Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the American Red Cross urge every family to develop a family disaster plan. Where will your family be when disaster strikes? They could be anywhere at work, at school, or in the car. How will you find each other? Will you know if your children are safe? Disaster may force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home. What would you do if basic services water, gas, electricity, or telephones were cut off?

Follow these basic steps to develop a family disaster plan...

  • Gather information about hazards.
    Contact your local National Weather Service office, emergency management office, and American Red Cross chapter. Find out what type of disasters could occur and how you should respond. Learn your community’s warning signals and evacuation plans.

  • Meet with your family to create a plan.
    Discuss the information you have gathered. Pick two places to meet: a spot outside your home for an emergency, such as fire, and a place away from your neighborhood in case you can’t return home. Choose an out-of-state friend as your family check-in contact for everyone to call if the family gets separated. Discuss what you would do if advised to evacuate.

  • Implement your plan.
    (1) Post emergency telephone numbers by phones;(2) Install safety features in your house, such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers; (3) Inspect your home for potential hazards (such as items that can move, fall, break, or catch fire) and correct them; (4) Have your family learn basic safety measures, such as CPR and first aid; how to use a fire extinguisher; and how and when to turn off water, gas, and electricity in your home; (5) Teach children how and when to call 911 or your local Emergency Medical Services number; (6) Keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for at least three days. Assemble a disaster supplies kit with items you may need in case of an evacuation. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers, such as backpacks or duffle bags. Keep important family documents in a waterproof container. Keep a smaller disaster supplies kit in the trunk of your car.

  • A DISASTER SUPPLIES KIT SHOULD INCLUDE: A 3-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food that won’t spoil one change of clothing and footwear per person one blanket or sleeping bag per person a first aid kit, including prescription medicines emergency tools, including a battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio and a portable radio, flashlight, and plenty of extra batteries an extra set of car keys and a credit card or cash special items for infant, elderly, or disabled family members.

  • Practice and maintain your plan. Ask questions to make sure your family remembers meeting places, phone numbers, and safety rules. Conduct drills. Test your smoke detectors monthly and change the batteries two times each year. Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer’s instructions. Replace stored water and food every 6 months. Contact your local National Weather Service office, American Red Cross chapter, or local office of emergency management for a copy of “Your Family Disaster Plan” (L-191/ARC4466).