Agencies Begin Flood Damage Assessment in Illinois

State and federal officials are collecting information to assess Illinois’ flood damage. The data collected will go into Gov. Pat Quinn’s request for federal assistance.

If Illinois gets federal help, that could mean grants and low-interest loans for those affected by flooding.

Quinn declared 48 counties state disaster areas. That means the counties have more access to state emergency resources, like radios for local police departments. It also lets Quinn pursue federal support.

Teams from the U.S. Small Business Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency will meet with local leaders over the coming days.

Heavy rains brought many rivers and streams statewide to record or near record levels. Communities along the Illinois River and its tributaries were among the hardest hit.