ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Ill. — For many residents in East St Louis, recovery after months of severe flooding has been slow. But now there’s hope.
“We never got it as bad as this year," said Frances Dunigan outside her home.
At 62, she never imagined she'd be living in a house overtaken by floodwater. The storms in July left her basement filled with mold and mildew. She said her health has taken a turn.
“By me being disabled, now, I can't get down those steps," she said. “I've been having respiratory, like allergies and sinus problems.”
But today, she said she feels some relief. We followed crews with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA. They’re going door to door in the Metro East, helping residents like Frances.
“We haven't stopped since our boots hit the ground," said Leyla Gulen, a FEMA spokesperson.
Gulen said they’re listening to people’s stories and getting them resources.
“If you feel that you've suffered any damage, make sure you take pictures of it, because that's going to help quicken the process," she said.
So far, the federal government has provided over $9.4 million to help survivors across seven Illinois counties. The Illinois counties that FEMA crews are canvassing in connection to July storm damage are St. Clair, Washington, Fulton, Henry, Winnebago, Cook, and Will. President Joe Biden signed the major disaster declaration one week ago, allowing people with property damage to recover.
“Wherever we are needed, we will be there," Gulen said.
It’s the reason Dunigan said her uncertainty has shifted to hope.
“It really made me feel good that somebody out here thinking about us and to help us," Dunigan said.
FEMA will be in the area for the next few weeks, assisting homeowners impacted by July’s storms. Residents are urged to apply before the November 19 deadline.
The FEMA centers are at these two locations:
Southwestern Illinois Justice & Workforce Development Campus
2300 W. Main Street
Suite M117 (City of Belleville Office Bldg.)
Belleville, IL 62226
Hours: Mon. – Sun. 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Cahokia Heights Fitness and Community Center
509 Camp Jackson Road
Cahokia Heights, IL 62207
Hours: Mon. – Sun. 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Specialists from FEMA, the state of Illinois and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be at the centers to outline the application process and make it less difficult for residents. The officials will help residents apply for the federal disaster assistance, upload documents, get their questions answered in person and learn ways to make their property more disaster resistant. Residents will need the following to apply: current phone number, address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are currently staying, social security number, a general list of damage and losses, banking information if you choose direct deposit, if insured, your policy number or agent and/or the company name. Residents who have insurance should first file a claim but if they're underinsured or uninsured they should apply for the FEMA assistance. After residents apply, federal officials will determine if an inspection is needed to verify the storm damage.