Gov Quinn Tours Damage; Declares Three More Disaster Areas
WSIL TV
May 14, 2009
MARION, Ill.-- Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has added Gallatin, Randolph and Saline Counties to the list of state disaster areas. Jackson, Williamson and Franklin Counties were declared disaster areas on Saturday.
A disaster declaration makes state resources available for recovery efforts. Almost all of those crews are already in action.
Illinois State Police troopers from nearby districts are assisting with traffic direction and security.
Illinois Department of Transportation crews are clearing branches and other debris from state roadways.
Illinois Department of Corrections inmate crews are assisting with debris cleanup in Carterville, Cambria, Herrin, Jackson County and Williamson County.
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency has mobilized volunteers, and the state has provided several generators to the area and four truckloads of water from the state stockpile in Springfield.
It also means federal money could become available, but first the governor had to get a look at the damage himself. He started with air and ground tours of damaged areas and ended up at one of Ameren's command centers.
"I've seen first hand what teamwork is all about and what sacrifice is all about," Quinn said at the electric company's tent city in Marion.
It's one of two camps, there's another in Carbondale, where the power company's 2000 workers can replenish supplies, get a shower, and something to eat.
The governor wasn't in town just to praise the power companies. After surveying the damage, he said he was stunned by the fallen trees and power lines, "But I also was inspired by people all over I saw coming and working together."
Four days after the storm, Quinn says he thinks now is the right time to give crews, emergency responders and local officials a pat on the back.
"We have faith in everybody in Illinois. Everyone has a role to play. Everyone can serve and so I thought this was the best time to come down," Quinn said explaining why he hadn't been to visit sooner.
"I think it's important to let the emergency officials carry out their work. I have total confidence in our emergency management agency."
The governor is reminding homeowners to keep track of damage and clean-up costs.
The Illinois Emergency Management Association continues to assess damage. If it's great enough, the state can apply for federal help.
"We have to get a true and accurate assessment of the damage and once we do that we'll review those figures to ascertain if federal disaster declaration is warranted," said Andrew Velasquez III, director of Illinois Emergency Management Agency.
Federal disaster declarations make local governments eligible to be reimbursed for clean-up expenses.
That means that down the road taxpayers may not be asked to pay more see taxes and fees increased because city or county budgets took a hit.
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