$2.7M In FEMA Funds Given To Will Co. Residents After July Storms

WILL COUNTY, IL — Manhattan Township residents are among those in Will County who have received a portion of nearly $3 million in FEMA assistance funds, after severe weather this July had a devastating impact.

Will County residents who experienced damages or losses from the July 13-16 severe weather have received $2,792,102 in assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Individual Assistance Program since a disaster was declared for the county in September. This milestone comes as the application window for assistance from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is set to close on Nov. 19, the agency said in a release.

"This federal funding has helped hundreds of Will County residents recover financially from this severe weather event," said Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant. "I appreciate the efforts of our federal and state partners in supporting long-term recovery after these storms."

Federal assistance became available on September 20 after a Major Disaster Declaration was issued for Will County. Since the declaration, 2,500 applications for assistance have been filed for costs incurred during the July storms, including home repairs, temporary housing, property damage, and emergency purchases.

“With 2,500 registrations for federal assistance having occurred in Will County, this funding represents a crucial step in helping our residents recover and rebuild after the severe storms,” added Will County Emergency Management Agency Director Allison Anderson.

Residents and businesses owners who sustained losses can apply for assistance before the Nov. 19 deadline at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, or by using the FEMA App. If insured, property owners do not need to wait for a settlement letter before applying for FEMA assistance.

The SBA has also made low-interest disaster loans available to homeowners, renters, businesses, and certain private non-profit organizations. Businesses may be eligible for relief for economic impact and residents may be eligible for a low-interest loan.

Both FEMA and the SBA have offered in-person application assistance to anyone who needs help with their application. This in-person support center, currently located at the Will County Office Building at 302 N. Chicago St. in Joliet, will close at 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 15.

For more information about the disaster recovery operation in Illinois, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4819.