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Flood 07: Blagojevich declares DeKalb County a disaster area
Gov. Rod Blagojevich declared DeKalb County a disaster area Sunday, due to flooding and water damage around the area.
At a press conference in Lee County Friday, Blagojevich declared Cook, Kane, Lake, and McHenry counties disaster areas. DuPage County was also declared a disaster area over the weekend.
DeKalb County’s declaration came two days later than other surrounding counties that were declared disaster areas.
Patti Thompson, communications manager of Illinois Emergency Management Agency, said DeKalb County was more affected overnight on Thursday, whereas other counties have dealt with severe weather and flooding for several days.
“They’ve been struggling here for a few days now,” Thompson said, referring to Kane, Cook, Lake, and McHenry counties.
Counties usually declare themselves in a state of emergency first, prior to the state interjecting itself.
“We go in and take a look, assess the area,” Thompson said. “We see what we can do to provide assistance.”
“IEMA can now send more assessors,” said Russ Farnum, DeKalb Community Development Director, when informed of the declaration. Farnum said the additional manpower would help the relief effort.
If the damage is manageable by the county, the state does not need to provide assistance, Thompson said. But if the area is in great need of help, the state will provide equipment and funds.
“I applied for declaration this morning,” said Dennis Miller, DeKalb County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency Coordinator, Friday. “The state knows we’re in need of assistance. Declaration opens the door to state assets and equipment.”
After a governor’s declaration, the state looks for federal assistance.
“The governor can put in for federal declaration, but the president can deny it,” Miller said.
County officials are currently helping those in need around the area, Miller said.
“We’re seeing if we can assist residents in any way,” he said.
Other counties in northern Illinois could still be declared disaster areas in the coming days.
“The Department of Natural Resources is keeping an eye on bodies of water in the area,” Thompson said. “Several bodies of water crested yesterday and are now going down.”
More rain is forecasted for Tuesday, which could affect other counties in Illinois.
“There could be others that come after this declaration,” Thompson said.
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