President Joe Biden declared a state of emergency in Illinois Monday after devastating tornadoes swept through the state Friday, killing six people in Illinois.
The declaration authorizes the release of federal aid, which will be used in tandem with assistance from local and state authorities to help mitigate damage. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, is expected to coordinate disaster relief efforts in 13 southern Illinois counties. Emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, will be provided, with 75% of the funds coming from the federal government.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday said in a statement the federal emergency disaster declaration in Illinois will provide financial support to the following counties: Bond, Cass, Coles, Effingham, Fayette, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Montgomery, Morgan, Moultrie, Pike and Shelby. As damage assessments continue, Pritzker said, more counties could be identified to qualify for federal assistance, such as Menard County.
For other areas affected by the storms that still may not get financial support from the federal government, Pritzker has directed the Illinois Emergency Management Agency to work with those jurisdictions and look at all other options for support. Pritzker said local, state and federal officials are continuing to work together to ensure Illinois communities “have everything they need to recover.”
“I appreciate President Biden’s fast response in ensuring Illinois has all available resources on the road to rebuilding,” he said.
Under FEMA’s public assistance program, grants are given to state and local governments, as well as some private nonprofit organizations. The federal government’s disaster declaration allows for the program to kick in to also provide funds to implement emergency protective measures.
Six people in Illinois, who had been inside an Amazon warehouse, died after the fierce winds whipped through southwestern Illinois, collapsing a portion of the building. Officials in Edwardsville, a town of roughly 27,000 people about 25 miles northeast of St. Louis, continued to clean up rubble and debris this week at the sprawling, 1.1 million-square-foot Amazon facility.
The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration also confirmed Monday it will be conducting an investigation into the facility’s collapse. The same day, Amazon executives defended the safety procedures at the warehouse, saying they followed all appropriate safety measures for the 46 employees who had been inside the building when the storm hit.
Anyone who wants make a donation to those in Edwardsville affected by the tornado can reach out to the Salvation Army, American Red Cross or Edwardsville Community Foundation Relief Fund, 855-464-3223.
There was even more loss of life and tornado damage in neighboring Kentucky, where it was estimated at least 74 people died during the storms that hit Friday into Saturday, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Monday.
Biden is expected to visit that state Wednesday to survey the damage.
FEMA’s website lists way people can help victims of the tornado in Kentucky.
