Governor Bruce Rauner issued a disaster declaration for three Illinois counties—Kankakee, Vermillion and Iroquois.
State aid, which includes boats, trucks, pumps, hoses and sandbags, is said to be on the way to flood victims in areas that suffered from heavy rains within the past week.
Officials said the declaration will help towns like Wateska, where a number of homes were swamped by flood water.
Gov. Rauner toured Watseka Thursday night and met with residents who were evacuated from their homes. Rauner said he was impressed with the victims’ strength.
“We must continue to stand together during times of emergency and provide continued support and assistance as these communities fight the rising floodwaters,” said Gov. Rauner.
The Governor also directed the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) to activate the State Emergency Operations Center in Springfield to coordinate state personnel and assets needed to help local officials keep residents safe and protect critical infrastructure.
IEMA is receiving weather forecast updates and river stage predictions and staff is in close contact with emergency management officials throughout the state.
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IEMA’s acting director Jennifer Ricker, is reminding people to use caution when driving in flooded areas.
“Flooded roads can be dangerous, even deadly, so the best advice is always to ‘Turn Around, Don’t Drown,’” Ricker said.
The National Weather Service has more information here on locations in flood.
