County may apply for federal funds for blizzard

Help may be on the way to pay at least some of the cost of last week's blizzard clean-up and damage.

Ogle County Emergency Management Agency Coordinator Candace Humphrey said Tuesday that she is gathering data for the county to apply for a declaration as a federal disaster area.

"That opens the door for federal funding," Humphrey said.

A blizzard packing heavy snow and high winds Feb. 1-2 dumped at least 15 inches of drifting snow on the county, making roads impassable, stranding motorists, and closing schools, county government offices, and businesses.

The federal declaration would mean federal funds could be allocated to pay for at least a portion of the costs of snow and debris removal, emergency services, and damage to roads and bridges, Humphrey said.

She said she has contacted the county sheriff's and highway departments, as well as townships, municipalities, fire departments, and law enforcement agencies throughout the county for their damage assessments.

County reports must be submitted to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency by Feb. 15, Humphrey said.

Gov. Pat Quinn declared the state a disaster area on Jan. 31 before the storm began.

That move, Humphrey said, made state resources, such as the National Guard, available once local resources were exhausted.