Tornado Recovery Information

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency’s website has latest updates plus information on where to get help and how you can volunteer and donate.

Donate to the American Red Cross by CLICKING HERE

Disaster SNAP applications (food assistance) for tornado victims available Wednesday, December 11th.
CLICK HERE
for more information

Wednesday, November 27 Update:
President Obama has approved Governor Quinn’s request for federal assistance for 15 Illinois counties, including Grundy and Will, affected by the Nov. 17 tornadoes.  These counties and their residents are now eligible to receive individual assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as well as low-interest loans through the Small Business Administration (SBA).  

For those who sustained losses or damage from the severe storms and tornadoes, they may apply for disaster assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or by visiting www.DisasterAssistance.gov.  

FEMA Disaster Assistance Flyer (English)

FEMA Disaster Assistance Flyer (Spanish)

Governor Quinn’s official request to the President came after five teams of personnel from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), the FEMA, the SBA and local officials worked together over the weekend to assess the damage.  The damage assessments, known as Preliminary Disaster Assessments (PDAs), were completed on Nov. 24.  The teams identified 2,441 homes that were damaged, 781 of which were destroyed, throughout the state.  

For more information about disaster recovery resources, including shelters and ways to help tornado survivors, visit http://www.illinois.gov/ready/Press/Pages/111713.aspx.

**End of Update**

If your home is damaged, contact your insurance company and keep documentation on as many things as possible related to the damage (i.e. pictures, receipts, etc.).  

Residents should contact their local Emergency Management Agencies so these agencies can get a good estimate of damage costs and what type of resources may be needed from State and Federal agencies.

Financial Assistance
It is important that individuals work with their local Emergency Management Agency’s in reporting and assessing damage.  This is the initial step in the process to obtain financial assistance.

Next, IEMA will work with FEMA officials to determine if these areas meet the federal threshold of damage.  This would allow for a Presidential Disaster Declaration (referred to as individual assistance for residents).

Local municipalities should also keep records of any damage to buildings or resources as they may be eligible for assistance (referred to as public assistance).

IEMA hopes to have initial damage assessments with Federal officials and local officials by the end of the week or early next week.

Shelters
There are a total of 7 shelters for residents near the hardest hit areas to stay.  These shelter locations are below (more may be added as assessments continue):

Crossroads United Methodist Church
1420 Main Street
Washington, Illinois

Evangelical United Methodist Church
401 Main St
Washington, Illinois
 
First United Methodist Church
154 E. Washington St
East Peoria, Illinois

Avanti’s Dome
3105 Griffin Avenue
Pekin, Illinois
 
Community Health & Rehab Building
2304 County Road, 3000N
Gifford, Illinois 61847

1st Baptist Church
307 Massac Creek Road
Metropolis, Il. 62906
 
Coal City High School
655 West Division
Coal City, Illinois 60416

Waiver of Fees for Disaster Victims
The Secretary of State may, upon a proclamation of disaster by the Governor, waive certain fees for a period of 30 days after the disaster declaration has been filed, for the replacement of driver’s licenses, identification cards, vehicle titles, and vehicle registrations for those person who reside in the disaster area and whose documents were lost or destroyed during the disaster. 

CLICK HERE for the application to replace any or all of these documents.

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