Davis Continues to Monitor Flood Damage and Work With Local and State Officials to Determine Federal Need
U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) continues to monitor flood damage in the 13th Congressional District after Governor Bruce Rauner (R-Ill.) today added several counties to the state disaster declaration. This brings the total number of declared counties to 23 including Calhoun, Christian, Jersey, Madison, and Sangamon in Davis' district.
“Hearing about the lives lost and seeing the homes and businesses damaged over the holidays was heartbreaking,” said Davis. “I want to commend our first responders and volunteers for their tremendous work to keep us safe. As flood waters recede and damages are assessed in the coming days and weeks, local and state officials will determine if federal assistance is needed. If the state requests federal assistance, I will do everything I can to urge FEMA to give greater consideration to the localized impact of flooding on our small communities when determining the need for assistance.” Davis has fought for greater consideration of the localized impact of a disaster when the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is determining the need for federal assistance. These provisions were included in a FEMA reauthorization bill, which passed out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee last year but still needs to be passed by both chambers of Congress. In a release earlier today, Governor Bruce Rauner reiterated the state’s commitment to helping local communities recover from the severe flooding throughout Illinois. Additionally, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) Director James K. Joseph has said it will take several weeks to assess the damage in each county because many are still dealing with high waters. “The impacts of this flood event have been felt in many communities across the state,” said Gov. Rauner. “We’re continuing to provide personnel and resources communities need as they battle flood waters and begin their recovery process.” “Flood waters need to recede before local officials can get an accurate accounting of the damage,” said Director Joseph. “Our staff is working closely with all of the affected counties to help the process proceed as quickly as possible.” Over the last week, Davis met with staff at IEMA’s State Emergency Operations Center and visited areas of the 13th Congressional District impacted by severe flooding.
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