Quinn Declares 44 Counties Disaster Areas

Governor Quinn continued to survey flooded areas Sunday and added Ogle and Stark counties to his state disaster declaration, bringing the number of counties that can now get expanded access to state emergency resources to 44 and allowing the state to pursue federal relief and support.

Hours after Illinois Governor Pat Quinn declared a state of emergency in response to torrential rain and widespread flooding leaving many towns underwater, he declared 38 counties as state disaster areas. As disaster areas continued to be surveryed throughout the weekend, the number of counties in the declaration grew.

“Illinois has seen an incredible level of devastation and reports indicate that conditions will get worse in the coming days,” Quinn said in a statement. “We want to ensure that every county gets the assistance they need and this declaration will give every affected community access to available resources."

Counties declared disasters include: Adams, Brown, Bureau, Calhoun, Carroll, Cass, Champaign, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Fulton, Greene, Grundy, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Jersey, Jo Daviess, Kane, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, Marshall, Mason, McHenry, Mercer, Morgan, Peoria, Pike, Putnam, Rock Island, Schuyler, Scott, Tazewell, Whiteside, Will, Winnebago and Woodford.

The designation means state resources can be made available to help communities recover from flooding and damage. Quinn's office said the state plans to mobilize heavy equipment, work crews and security assistance to assist with disaster recovery.

"Heavy rainfall over the past few days has created dangerous flooding in areas across the state," Quinn said. "Everyone should stay home and off the roads if possible. To ensure safety as these storms continue, people should be alert and avoid flooded areas."

Live Blog: Flooding Across Chicago-Area

Quinn headed to the Chicago area Thursday morning to survey flood damage after a torrential downpour dumped several inches of rain on the region.

"We have to do this together as a family," Quinn told reporters." When we have any kind of emergency, we work together for the common good. We help each other."

Quinn said a hospital in Morris had to be evacuated as well as two trailer parks currently under water. Residents have lost whole rooms of belongings, and in Chicago a sinkhole swallowed three cars, injuring a man.

Several towns have independently declared a state of emergency, including Lisle, Lombard and Elmhurst.

"We encourage people to stay off the roads and if you do have to be somewhere, please slow down because the water then creates a wave effect that will flood people's home," Elmhurst City Manager Jim Grabowski said.

Quinn activated the State Incident Response Center, which allows officials the ability to assess flooding and severe weather in several areas of the state and expedite assistance that may be needed by local public safety officials to protect citizens.

Quinn emphasized the need to work together, noting state officials are ensuring public safety in the following ways, as detailed in a statement from the governor's office:

Illinois Department of Central Management Services is monitoring conditions at state facilities to ensure state agencies can continue to provide critical services to the public and is prepared to Illinois Department of Transportation is ensuring public safety through road closures, message boards and other road-closure assistance to affected communities.
Illinois Department of Corrections will have 30 inmates at the Pittsfield Work Camp in Pike County assist with filling sandbags for local public safety officials.
Illinois Department of Public Health is providing local public health departments, hospitals and medical offices in the affected areas with information on tetanus shots.
Illinois State Police is assisting motorists stranded by floodwaters and working with local public safety officials on road closures.
Illinois National Guard is coordinating with IEMA in the event troops are needed to assist flooded communities.
Illinois Emergency Management Agency is coordinating the state’s response and has deployed staff throughout the affected areas to assist local officials.
Illinois Department of Natural Resources dispatched conservation officers to Sycamore to assist with evacuation of residents in a flooded mobile home park.
Office of the State Fire Marshal is coordinating with fire departments throughout the state to assess any flood-related issues they’re experiencing.
American Red Cross has opened shelters in Roanoke, Oglesby and Lisle and is continuing to assess the need for shelters and other assistance.

"I urge everyone to stay alert and avoid flooded areas," Governor Quinn said. "Residents should tune in to local TV and radio stations for updated information about any closed routes or evacuations."