Ogle County declared federal disaster area
By Chris Johnson - Reporter
Help is on the way for local residents and businesses who suffered losses when heavy rains caused flooding last month.
President Barack Obama declared Ogle County a federal disaster area Aug. 19 along with six neighboring counties.
“This declaration will help people and businesses affected by the July 22-24 flash flooding recover from the disaster by allowing them to apply for grants and loans to assist with the storm-related losses,” said Ron McDermott, coordinator of the Ogle County Emergency Management Agency.
He said the disaster declaration makes assistance available to flood victims, including grants to individuals and households to help with temporary housing, home repairs or replacement, and other disaster-related expenses, as well as low-interest Small Business Association loans to residents and businesses.
McDermott said flood victims can apply for help to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which administers the assistance program.
The toll-free number is 800-621-FEMA (3362) or 800-462-7585 (TTY for the hearing and speech impaired).
Registration can also be done online at www.disasterassistance.gov. Click on the Disaster Assistance tab, then Questionnaire. Follow the instructions to determine which assistance is appropriate.
Residents can also apply online by clicking Apply Now.
Carroll, Stephenson, JoDaviess, Winnebago, DuPage and Cook Counties were also named in the federal disaster declaration.
More than foot of rain fell on the northern part of Ogle County July 22-24 bringing streams and rivers out of their banks and into homes, businesses and fields.
Many rural roads were washed out and some bridges were damaged.
Forreston Village President Michael Harn said he is relieved the federal declaration came through.
“I think being declared a disaster area is a great thing for the community,” Harn said. “The residents will get some help and offset the agony they had to endure. I hope it will help them out.”
“Hopefully this is an avenue to recovery. I hope this pans out not only for Forreston residents but all Ogle County residents who were affected.”
In Forreston, sewage backed up into the homes of numerous residents.
At least one couple were displaced from their home following the flood.
John and Shirley Iben, Forreston, had to leave their home due to high mold counts.
The Ibens had 18 inches of sewage in the basement.
Another Forreston resident Victor Cavazos told his story to the Forreston Village Board on Aug. 2 and Aug. 16.
“I had three pumps trying to keep up with the water in my basement,” he said. “I know there are other residents in the same situation.”
Rita Reed also had the same problem at her home.
“I had a foot and a half of water in my basement,” said Reed. “I got it out July 23 and the same thing happened on July 24. “I certainly understand an act of God, but this came up through my sewer drain.”
In the Village of Leaf River, the wastewater plant was flooded, and several homes were significantly damaged after the Leaf River came out of its banks as far as First Street in the downtown.
Bill and Marie Norup’s house next to the river, built on a three-foot foundation, had a foot of water throughout the house. Their car was destroyed by the four feet of water in the garage.
Across the street, Marion and Rita Aldridge had flood water as high as the window sills of their one-story house.
A few doors south, the basement of Anthony and Shelly Peterson’s two-story home was flooded to the ceiling.
Businesses and apartment buildings in the downtown had as much as five feet of water in the basements.
The Brookville United Methodist Church also sustained significant damage when the basement flooded.
Vinde Wells contributed to this story.
