FEMA grants state extension for flood-damage assessment

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has granted the Illinois Emergency Management Agency an extension to complete its damage assessment from the December and January floods.

The state had until Friday to complete its damage assessments, but FEMA granted an extension to Feb. 26.

IEMA needed more time to allow flood waters to subside so damage assessments could be completed. The additional time also provides IEMA more time to define the effects of the flood as it determines whether to ask for a federal disaster declaration.

A federal disaster declaration could make federal assistance available.

FEMA and IEMA began reviewing flood- and storm-related costs with local government officials in 19 counties on Feb. 1, while the agencies began assessing damage to homes and businesses in 10 counties on Feb. 4.

“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,” said James K. Joseph, director of the IEMA.

Assessment teams noted displacement of residents, the economic effects of road closures on businesses and workers, and concerns in areas that have been hit by floods twice in less than a year, IEMA said.

This story was originally published February 11, 2016 at 10:54 AM with the headline "FEMA grants state extension for flood-damage assessment."