Flooding

June 14, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C.- Late last night, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barack Obama (D-IL) sent a letter to the President in support of Governor Rod Blagojevich's request for direct federal assistance to help Illinois communities to respond to and recover from flooding.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, June 16, 2008 – More than 600 National Guard members in Illinois and Missouri are continuing sandbagging operations along the Mississippi River today in an effort to thwart the flood waters that are subsiding in Iowa.

National Guard soldiers fill sandbags: Soldiers from 1138th Transportation Company, based at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., fill sandbags June 15, 2008, in Clarksville, Mo., an area expected to get more flood water this week. Photo by Gary Stevens, Missouri National Guard    » read more »

Beijing -- 16 June 2008 -- Massive flooding across a broad stretch of southern China has killed 57 people and forced more than one million others to flee their homes.

For China, spring and summer flooding has become a regular event. But Civil Affairs Ministry official Li Baojun says this year is different.

Flooding in China: Photo by Dennis Kruyt (CC)

Li says there are floods every year, but that in some areas, this has been the highest rainfall in history. He especially points to southern Guangdong province, which has seen 250 to 500 millimeters of rain since the
second half of May.    » read more »

Individual Assistance Now Available in Seven Counties; Others Expected to Follow

June 16, 2008 -- MADISON — Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has declared a state of disaster for Richland and Racine counties, bringing the number of Wisconsin counties where individual assistance is available to seven.

FEMA over the weekend made federal assistance available to those living in Columbia, Crawford, Milwaukee, Sauk and Vernon counties and is conducting damage assessments to allow declarations in other counties.    » read more »

June 16, 2008 -- MADISON – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle announced today that individuals in Columbia, Crawford, Racine, Richland, Milwaukee, Sauk, and Vernon counties affected by the recent severe storms and floods that began on June 5, 2008 will be eligible to apply for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), including Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA).

Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available to unemployed workers who worked or were self employed if they:

* worked or were self employed, or were scheduled to begin work or self employment, in one of the affected counties; or were unable to reach their employment because they must travel though the affected area;    » read more »

June 16, 2008 -- (JOHNSTON) – At a press conference today held at the Joint Forces Headquarters, Iowa Lt. Governor Patty Judge confirmed today that a flood-related fatality occurred in Louisa County bringing the death toll to five. The body of a 35-year-old man was found Sunday in flood waters.

With response efforts continuing along the Mississippi River in Davenport, Burlington and Keokuk, Lt. Governor Patty Judge told reporters today that many areas of Iowa are starting down the long road to recovery. And, she said, resources are being provided to aid individual Iowans as well as communities.    » read more »

Overnight Efforts Focus On Security, Bolstering Levees

JOHNSTON – With flood waters to the north receding and recovery efforts underway there, communities in the extreme southeast portion of Iowa were bracing early Monday for river crests still to occur.

Flooding in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, June 2008: Photo by Louis (CC)

Gov. Chet Culver is scheduled to make stops today in Ottumwa, Keokuk, Burlington and Columbus Junction, meeting with residents, emergency responders and volunteers to assess first-hand what assistance is needed.    » read more »

June 16, 2008 -- Chicago - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan today urged residents affected by the severe flooding throughout Illinois to protect themselves from home repair con artists who are eager to exploit natural disasters for personal profit.

“Flood and storm victims now are faced with the daunting task of rebuilding and repairing their homes and businesses,” Attorney General Madigan said. “It’s important that they remain vigilant as they prepare to recover and keep an eye out for repair fraud that inevitably follows storms and natural disasters.”    » read more »

Governor activates 100 additional Air National Guard troops, directs state agency directors to allow employees who are disaster relief volunteers to participate in flood efforts

June 16, 2008 -- SPRINGFIELD – With river levels expected to reach record or near-record levels at several locations along the Mississippi River this week, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today said he has directed emergency management officials to increase state personnel and assets to help communities protect homes, local water supply systems, bridges, roads and other critical infrastructure.

Flooding in Urbana, Illinois, May 2008: Photo by Joe Futrelle (CC)    » read more »

Anticipates spending in excess of $15 Million for recent disasters

WASHINGTON, June 13, 2008 — The American Red Cross anticipates spending millions as it moves forward with relief efforts for the victims of flooding and tornadoes across seven states, an enormous geographic area. From Kansas to West Virginia, the Red Cross is present with vast amounts of clean up supplies, dozens of shelters and tens of thousands of meals.    » read more »

June 14, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Late last night, U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barack Obama (D-IL) sent a letter to the President in support of Governor Rod Blagojevich’s request for direct federal assistance to help Illinois communities to respond to and recover from flooding.    » read more »

June 13, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barack Obama (D-IL) today released the following statement following Governor Rod Blagojevich’s preemptive declaration of state disaster areas for some Illinois countries that are expecting major floods next week. Earlier today, Obama and Durbin sent a letter to the Governor asking him to consider making this declaration.

“We commend Governor Blagojevich for his decision to preemptively call for state assistance to deal with the expected flooding in the days ahead.

“This declaration will ensure our state's emergency personnel have the resources they need to prepare Illinois communities in affected flood areas.

“We will continue to do everything we can to help our state to face this challenge.”    » read more »

June 13, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barack Obama (D-IL) were joined today by members of the Illinois Delegation in asking the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide immediate assistance to help the State of Illinois prepare for the anticipated flooding of the Mississippi River and other waterways.

Mississippi River floodwaters in Missouri: Photo by eagle102 (CC)    » read more »

June 13, 2007 -- Lincoln, Neb. -- Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman today submitted a request to President George W. Bush for a federal disaster declaration following several weeks of severe storms that have produced tornadoes, high winds, lightning, and flooding throughout much of Nebraska.

Damage assessments from the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) indicate at least $22 million in damages to public infrastructure.    » read more »

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JUNE 13, 2008 -- As directed by Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, acting governor, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources is working with the State Emergency Management Agency, federal, state and local agencies as well as the public on environmental concerns due to the flooding issues across the state.

"As we continue to monitor river levels, Missourians need to know that our state is prepared with resources and equipment to address flooding concerns," Lt. Governor Kinder said. "I encourage communities and Missouri families to take necessary steps to minimize potential flood damage and ensure their safety."    » read more »