FEMA denies aid for towns hit by tornado

Federal officials have ruled that damage from a tornado that ripped through southern Illinois does not rate federal disaster status.

Federal Emergency Management Agency officials on Saturday issued a letter denying Gov.Pat Quinn's request for disaster aid for the five counties hardest hit by the tornado Feb. 29, meaning residents and communities will not be eligible for federal dollars for the costs of repairing the damage.

The news was yet another blow to the region, which had been designated a major disaster area just last year after floods damaged the area. The 170-mph winds of the recent twister damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes and killed seven people, said Harrisburg Mayor Eric Gregg.

"We've had floods, tornadoes, now this," Gregg said. "We're holding our own. We will appeal (the FEMA decision), and I hope this is just part of the process. ... I want to know how this decision was reached, and why. Because frankly, I don't understand it."

FEMA officials determined that assistance from state and local agencies, combined with volunteer groups and private insurance, would be enough for the five counties to rebuild on their own, spokesman Mark Peterson said Sunday.

In a statement, Quinn said he would appeal the decision, and Sens. Mark Kirk and Dick Durbin on Sunday issued releases stating the full Illinois congressional delegation would back his request for federal funds.

"I am extremely disappointed that FEMA denied our request for federal assistance that is needed to help people in Harrisburg, Ridgway and the other communities," Quinn said. "After personally surveying the damage and talking to many residents who lost their homes, I firmly believe federal assistance is crucial to help them begin the recovery process."

Gregg estimated the damage to his community at "tens of millions." Four of the five counties for which Quinn has requested aid had been designated disaster areas in June, and FEMA paid out more than $28.5 million in aid for flood victims and community infrastructure, Peterson said.

agrimm@tribune.com

Source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-no-fema-aid-0312-20120312,0,551593.story?track=rss

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