FEMA has already given out $9.6 million in assistance for residents with September flood damage
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has already given out $9.6 million in recovery assistance in the two weeks since President Joe Biden approved a disaster declaration to help Illinois residents affected by flooding from heavy rains in mid-September.
Biden’s announcement allowed for FEMA’s return to the state one month after the agency left to wrap up its response to the flooding from late June and early July that wreaked havoc on homes and businesses across Cook County.
This second visit is in response to heavy rains Sept. 17 and 18 which were focused primarily in the south suburbs and caused less wide spread damage but lead to significant damage in a smaller area.
“Things are going good, people are coming in,” said Larissa Hale, a media relations specialist for FEMA.
In order to receive funding to help with flood damage, homeowners and business owners must fill out an application through the FEMA website or at one of the several temporary disaster recovery centers.
Hale explained that since FEMA arrived, 7,000 applicants have sought assistance, although not all have been approved. The average allocation to the approved applicants so far is $4,800 per household, Hale said.
According to the National Weather Service, the towns that were most severely hit by the rains Sept. 17 and 18 were Calumet City, with a peak rain level of 8.7 inches, as well as Burnham, Dolton, Hammond and the Hegewisch community area of Chicago which saw as much as 7.3 inches.
Of applications received so far, 1,613 were from Chicago residents, 1,604 from Calumet City residents, 865 from Dolton and 135 from Burnham. The deadline to apply is Jan. 19, and Hale wants many more residents to apply.
“We’re trying to get the word out. We have disaster survivor assistance crews out in these neighborhoods, going ... door to door,” Hale said. “It’s still early so these numbers will pick up.”
Since it has been almost two months since the September storm, many households have already paid to fix their flooded basements and living rooms but can be reimbursed for work already done, Hale said, urging residents to save receipts as they will be needed during the application of process.
The Small Business Association is also working to assist the recovery. If FEMA does not cover the entirety of a homeowner’s or business owner’s expenses, the business association offers loans at 2.5% and 4% interest, respectively.
To apply for FEMA assistance, go to www.fema.gov/disaster/4749, and to learn more about the SBA loans, visit SBA.gov/disaster.
Residents may also visit disaster recovery centers open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at the Calumet City Public Library, 660 S Manistee Ave., and at the community center, 14020 S Torrence Ave.
