The state of Illinois requested and received an extension for submitting a request to the federal government for a major disaster declaration related to severe storms and flooding in late December and early January.

The original deadline for the submission was today (February 12). The extension allows the state until February 26 to request federal assistance.

James Joseph, Director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), said "In some parts of the state, floodwaters only recently subsided to the point where we were able to accurately document the damages." He adds, "We just concluded joint damage assessments with FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration earlier this week and need more time to thoroughly review that information in order to better define the true impact of the event."

FEMA and IEMA began reviewing flood and storm-related costs with local government officials in 19 counties on February 1, while FEMA, SBA and IEMA began assessing damage to homes and businesses in 10 counties on February 4. Iroquois and Vermilion were two of the counties affected by the flooding.

The state will decide by February 26 if a state request for federal assistance is warranted.

94.1 WGFA