Gov. Pat Quinn has issued an emergency declaration following the flooding and severe weather affecting areas across Illinois yesterday.
The action allows the state to access federal resources including generators, pump systems sandbags and additional funds. It is a step below a disaster emergency declaration.
Quinn says the American Red Cross has opened two shelters in north central Illinois. One is in Oglesby and another in Roanoke.
Earlier yesterday, Quinn initiated the State Incident Response Center to monitor flooding and severe weather in portions of Illinois and help coordinate assistance local authorities may need.
The governor is encouraging people affected by the weather to go online for real time updates on the storms.
