State and federal emergency management officials have announced upcoming assessments of damage caused by the recent severe storms and flooding in McLean County.
Starting Monday, representatives from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency and U.S. Small Business Administration will conduct a multi-county preliminary damage assessment.
According to the McLean County Emergency Management Agency [EMA], these joint assessments will help state and federal officials determine the extent and cost of damage across the region and whether it meets the criteria for a federal disaster declaration.
A federal disaster declaration would allow possible additional recovery resources, including low-interest disaster loans for eligible homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofit organizations.
McLean County EMA director Cathy Beck provided some insight into what officials hope to achieve with the assessments.
“We know these storms affected communities across McLean County in different ways, and we want to make sure the assessment teams see the full extent of that impact,” Beck said. “Our role is to bring together the information from our municipalities and residents so we can give state and federal officials the most complete picture possible.”
Assessments for the region will take place Monday through Thursday. McLean County’s assessment will take place between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday, and may be extended into Wednesday if necessary.
All assessment team members will have identification, and their presence does not mean that federal assistance has been approved.
McLean County EMA is currently compiling information on emergency response costs, debris removal and damage to public infrastructure, while local Geographic Information System specialists develop maps identifying impacted areas.
Report storm damage to your personal or business property here.
