President Joe Biden approved a disaster declaration Friday and directed federal assistance to support recovery efforts in areas affected by severe storms and flooding from July 13 to 16, including several south and southwest suburbs, according to a White House statement.
The announcement comes after Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Gov. JB Pritzker made similar disaster proclamations Aug. 12 and Aug. 30, which unlocked state funds to assist residents in their recovery efforts. With Biden’s declaration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency can offer individual assistance to residents in areas hardest hit by the July storms, including Cook, Fulton, Henry, St. Clair, Washington, Will and Winnebago counties.
“Millions of residents across the state have incurred damages from the severe weather in July due to torrential rain and flash flooding,” Pritzker said in the release, noting the declaration is the culmination of efforts “to mobilize every available resource and bring federal programs to provide relief for our residents.”
On July 14 and 15, the area experienced 16 confirmed tornadoes and a rare derecho event, or long-lasting thunderstorm with high winds that can cause damage similar to a tornado, Ted Berger, executive director of the Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security, said in August.
Over a month later, many suburban communities hardest hit by the storms, including Harvey, Dolton, Flossmoor, and Robbins, were still dealing with the aftermath, which at the time left thousands without power along with debris, fallen trees, broken glass and other property damage.
The storms also brought 6.5 inches of rain that led to substantial flooding and property damage, widespread power outages, blocked roadways, and transportation disruptions due to flash flooding and debris in roadways, according to Pritzker’s office.
Individual assistance available through the declaration may include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to support people and business owners in recovering from the storms, according to Biden’s declaration. State and local governments, along with non-profit organizations, are also eligible for assistance to support emergency efforts and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the disaster.
Darrin Ricketts, a team lead for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s region 5 office in Chicago, has been appointed to coordinate federal recovery operations in the affected areas, according to a release from the White House.
After the storms, Cook County’s emergency management agency worked with municipal leaders to document the damage and costs incurred by residents while dealing with repairs. In August, Berger said the agency determined the damage was significant and evident enough to potentially qualify for federal assistance.
Some south suburban communities, such as Flossmoor, Homewood and Thornton, partnered with the agency to distribute surveys aimed at assessing the damage and determining eligibility for federal aid. Berger said the agency also coordinated a joint preliminary damage assessment with state and federal agencies, gathering damage reports from residents and municipal partners to evaluate the area’s eligibility for federal assistance.
The county received hundreds of damage reports for homes and businesses, totaling over 1,000 individual property damage claims across 34 municipalities. Additionally, municipalities reported more than $5 million in damage to public infrastructure and response costs.
The last time Biden declared a major disaster in Cook County was in 2023, following heavy rains in September that led to widespread flooding and put additional strain on aging sewage and stormwater infrastructure in need of repair.
Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA App.
Disaster Recovery Centers will be open soon in all seven counties with more opportunities for disaster survivors to engage with FEMA representatives on the disaster application process, according to the press release.
Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau said in the release Friday that they are actively coordinating help and sending resources from state agencies to support recovery from the severe storm.
smoilanen@chicagotribune.com
