Governor Bruce Rauner has asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency for assistance with storm damage in 23 Illinois counties, including Iroquois and Vermilion.

The Governor also issued a state disaster proclamation for the 23 counties saying they were devastated by a series of severe storms in June and July that caused heavy rainfall, flash and river flooding, tornadoes and straight-line winds.

Rauner said, ''We're working to do everything within our power to help people and communities affected by the tornadoes, flooding and damaging winds these storms generated. These damage assessments will provide us with greater detail as to the impact of these storms and could be used to support a request for federal assistance.''

A State Damage Assessment Team will visit Watseka neighborhoods Tuesday 8/4. The damage assessments will be used to hopefully, bring FEMA to the area to get a first-hand look at the seriousness of the damage.

The state has already provided assistance to many of the affected communities, including sandbags filled and placed by offenders from the Illinois Department of Corrections, debris removal and delivery of flood-fighting supplies by the Illinois Department of Transportation, and other support from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Illinois State Police, and Illinois Department of Corrections.

94.1 WGFA