The Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied an aid request from local Illinois governments impacted by the tornadoes that swept across the state late last year.
FEMA sent a letter to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Thursday claiming the storm damage in 9 counties, including Masaac County, wasn’t severe enough to warrant the aid.
The other counties claimed for were Champaign, Douglas, Grundy, Tazewell, Vermilion, Washington, Wayne and Woodford counties.
FEMA and the Illinois EMA say the storm caused $6.1 million in damage to infrastructure and other government related property. There is a $17.8 million dollar federal threshold for Illinois to receive the aid. The threshold is calculated by Illinois' population multiplied by 1.35.
Governor Pat Quinn says he’s disappointed by the decision and will work to develop a strong appeal. The state has 30 days to file an appeal to FEMA. To date, more than $10 million in federal aid has been approved to help individual victims and businesses affected by the November 17th tornadoes which left seven people dead statewide and destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses.
