St. Clair County flood victims have received millions of dollars in fed help. What we know
December deadlines have been set for getting federal assistance to recover from the July flooding in St. Clair County, where about $11.9 million in federal grants, loans and flood insurance payments have already been approved, officials said Monday.
The deadline to apply for a loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration is Dec. 13, and the deadline to apply for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, is Dec. 16.
President Joe Biden issued a disaster declaration last month in response to an estimated $9 million in damages caused to nearly 800 homes when 8 to 12 inches of rain fell in the region on July 26.
Here are highlights of the assistance approved as of Monday:
▪ FEMA has approved $10.1 million in aid for individuals and households.
▪ The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved $722,000 in disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses.
▪ The National Flood Insurance Program has received 71 claims and paid $1.1 million.
Residents can apply for assistance in a variety of ways.
Phone: 1-800-621-3362
Online: DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA app.
In person: Go to two metro-east sites:
▪ Clyde Jordan Senior Citizen Center: 6755 State St., East St. Louis
▪ Caseyville Village Hall: 909 South Main St.
Hours: Week of Nov. 14:
8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday
Week of Nov. 21 – holiday hours:
8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday
8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Wednesday
Closed Thursday, Thanksgiving Day
Closed Friday, day after Thanksgiving
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday
“The July flood was unprecedented, and its impacts will be felt in the community for a long time,” said Waddy Gonzalez, the federal coordinating officer with FEMA, in a news release. “With the help of our state and local partners, though, we’re working to make sure survivors can access resources to help them with their recovery.”
Mary Gipson, a spokesperson for the Small Business Administration, encourages people to apply for a loan with the agency before the Dec. 13 deadline because “it keeps the door open” in case someone decides later that they need a loan.
The agency offers low-interest loans with rates as low as 1.688% for home loans and 2.935% for business loans.
