(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Over one month after storms in Chicagoland led to severe flooding and damage, President Joe Biden approved an Illinois disaster declaration, which means federal assistance will be made available to help with local recovery efforts.
The disaster declaration includes areas that were affected by storms between June 29 and July 2.
Biden’s decision doesn’t mean help will come immediately, but it will trigger the opening of so-called Disaster Recovery Centers in Cook County. That’s where local residents affected by the flooding will be able to apply for funding to help cover the cost of repairs, rebuilding and temporary housing.
Assistance may come in the form of grants or low-cost loans. Greg Nimmo, the recovery division chief for the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, told WBBM that the aid most flood victims are looking for is grant funding, as many folks lack the assets to handle the low-interest loans.
“Let’s say they just don’t have the means," Nimmo said. "They don’t have the credit ability; they don’t have the payment ability; they don’t have any of those things. [If] a long-term loan over a low interest is not a good fit for them, then they’re automatically referred over to [the Federal Emergency Management Agency] under the Individual Assistance program.”
Nimmo told WBBM in July that this process can still take a while. He said that state officials were still working on flooding cases from 2022 floods in East St. Louis.
In a statement, the White House said damage assessments are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated at a later date.
Related
Related
Listen to our new podcast Looped In: Chicago
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram