City of Watseka officials have turned to county leaders and the state for help in dealing with the flood that's now affected over 100 homes and 60 square blocks of the community.

The Iroquois County Board (Tuesday) followed up Watseka Mayor Bob Harwood's disaster declaration. Board Chairman Kyle Anderson signed off on a disaster declaration, which it's hoped will bring state resources to the community for help.

The county declaration is required for the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) to step in and begin the process of getting Governor Bruce Rauner's involvement.

Mayor Harwood said "the city's response plan was most-fitting" and the earlier-announced emergency plan has unfolded with response teams on the same page. The city's resources are growing then and the state help, Harwood said, would be most welcome.

IEMA officials were in town Tuesday and the review process is getting underway for damage assessments and clean-up once the waters recede.

A Watseka press release issued about midday Tuesday indicated overnight rains from Monday and Tuesday stirred up new concerns for the levels on Sugar Creek and the Iroquois River.

The American Red Cross has housed up to 60 people at an emergency shelter operated by the agency volunteers at the Trinity Church on east Walnut Street.

94.1 WGFA