The Quad-City Times - News, Sports and more from the Quad Cities region or Iowa and Illinois

You are not logged in.
Login

Log in to qctimes.com
Email:
Password:
Remember my information.
Register
Quadsville
Site Help

Advanced Search

Illinois Q-C declared state disaster area

Font Size:

Default font size

Larger font size

By Kurt Erickson | Tuesday, July 22, 2008 6:33 PM CDT | () comments

(Jeff Cook/Quad-City Times) Buy this Photo

SPRINGFIELD — Three Illinois counties in the Quad-City area have been declared disaster areas in the wake of Monday’s severe storms.

In issuing the declaration for Rock Island, Bureau and Henry counties on Tuesday, Gov. Rod Blagojevich said the designation will help communities get assistance needed for the recovery process.

The powerful storms downed trees and branches, closed numerous roads and knocked out power to thousands of homes and businesses

The designation brings to 57 the number of Illinois counties that have been declared state disaster areas this year. For some counties, it is the second time since Jan. 1, after having been hit with flooding in June.

“It’s been a tough year,” said Patti Thompson, spokeswoman for the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.

The declaration makes available state resources such as trucks, heavy equipment and work crews to help with debris removal. It also puts communities in line for assistance with security and other public safety issues.

On Tuesday, the state delivered bottled water to Rock Island County in response to a request from local emergency management officials. The state also sent an emergency generator to a nursing home in Milan and has deployed workers to help with damage assessments and debris removal, Thompson said.

Kurt Erickson can be reached at kurt.erickson@lee.net or (217) 789-0865.