SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn says the Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied the state's appeal for assistance after a deadly tornado and severe storms.

Quinn said in a Wednesday news release he is disappointed with the decision and doesn't believe "it reflects the reality and devastation on the ground." Hundreds of homes in five southern Illinois counties were damaged or destroyed by the Feb. 29 storms that killed seven people in Harrisburg.

Quinn says the state is submitting a request to the U.S. Small Business Administration for low-interest loans. He says the Illinois Emergency Management Agency will meet with a FEMA recovery specialist on Thursday to pursue other kinds of assistance.

Quinn appealed to the Department of Homeland Security days after FEMA turned down the aid request.