Governor Quinn Declares Southern Illinois Disaster Area
Stateline News
May 12, 2009
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn says it is "obvious" that southern Illinois is in dire need.The Governor over the weekend declared three counties disaster areas.Quinn says Franklin, Jackson and Williamson counties were the hardest hit by Fridays storms, and says they need the most help.
A disaster declaration opens-up a pipeline of help from Springfield to deal with immediate needs and storm clean-up.
But it is also the first step toward a federal disaster declaration which could provide millions of dollars to help pay for the storm damage.
FEMA will have to make that decision.
Officials in Springfield have already ordered help to the storm zone.I-Dot has sent trucks and crews to help clear roads, the Illinois State Police are on patrol and helping keep areas without power safe.And the state has also delivered a generator to Carterville to keep the water treatment plant there up and running.
Thousands of people in southern Illinois are still without power, and could remain in the dark until Tuesday.
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