'Cook County allocates $2.5 million to help suburban municipalities recover from July storms,' Daily Southtown

December 11, 2024

Daily Southtown: Cook County announced $2.5 million in funding to support recovery efforts for suburban municipalities affected by severe mid-July storms and tornadoes.

Workers from the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District string up caution tape Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at Willow Park in Homewood, where a storm devastated trees. (Paul Eisenberg/Daily Southtown)

Municipalities can apply for reimbursement to cover expenses incurred as part of disaster response and recovery efforts following the storms from July 14 to 16, the county announced in a news release. The county is accepting applications until 5 p.m. on Jan. 17.

"We recognize that for this particular storm, the July 14 through 16 tornadoes, derecho and severe weather, our municipalities responded with first responders on the street, incurring overtime for debris management, and also incurred damage to publicly owned buildings and facilities," said Ted Berger, executive director of the Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security.

Eligible expenses for reimbursement include debris removal, emergency protective measures such as overtime labor and equipment, road and bridge repairs, flood control facilities, buildings and equipment, utility systems, and parks or recreational facilities. A detailed breakdown is available on the county's website.

Many suburban communities hardest hit by the storms, including Harvey, Dolton, Flossmoor and Robbins, were still dealing with the aftermath a month later, which at the time left thousands without power along with debris, fallen trees, broken glass and other property damage. The storms also brought several inches of rain that led to substantial property damage and flooding.

Homewood village manager Napoleon Haney said the village plans to apply for funds, citing significant cleanup costs including renting a tub grinder to process trees and branches, paying overtime for public works staff, using police cars to block downed power lines, clearing trees from roads and hiring contractors to help with debris removal and tree cutting.

"Hopefully we can be reimbursed for something," he said.

The aid is part of the Cook County Disaster Response and Recovery Fund, a special purpose fund created in 2023 with an initial $100 million appropriation, according to the county's Emergency Management and Regional Security Department.

The funds can only be unlocked following a disaster declaration at either the county, state or federal level, Berger said.

After the July storms, Cook County issued a disaster declaration in August, followed by declarations from Gov. J.B. Pritzker and President Joe Biden on Aug. 30 and Sept. 20.

Berger said the county saw 16 confirmed tornadoes and a rare derecho event, or long-lasting thunderstorm with high winds that can cause similar damage to a tornado.

"The storms and tornadoes last summer were a stark reminder of the increasing unpredictability of extreme weather events facing our communities as a result of climate change," said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle in a news release. "This funding not only addresses immediate recovery needs but also reinforces our commitment to building a more resilient region capable of tackling future challenges."

The county went more than 10 years without issuing a major disaster declaration, Berger said. But in the past 18 months there have been three natural disaster events which have prompted the emergency management department to come up with new ways to prepare for emergencies.

Humberto Cervantes, an employee with Winkler Tree and Lawn Care, helped to clear fallen trees in a Homewood neighborhood affected by the July storms. (Samantha Moilanen/Daily Southtown)

FEMA offers a public assistance program that provides federal funding to cover some recovery costs. However, state and local governments must meet certain criteria and still have to cover a portion of the costs. Berger said the population-based eligibility threshold makes it challenging for the county to qualify for aid to distribute to municipalities, which is why the Disaster Response and Recovery Fund offers immediate support in these cases.

Berger said the department does not know when funds will be distributed to municipalities, but it will be determined based on the volume of applications and amount of documentation received.

As of Tuesday morning, Berger said FEMA has approved more than $90 million in aid for more than 27,000 Cook County residents. The last day to apply for federal disaster assistance is Dec. 13. According to FEMA, the aid may cover grants for temporary housing, home repairs, vehicle repairs, moving and storage, essential furniture and appliances, medical and dental expenses and childcare costs.

"Now we're turning our attention to supporting our municipal partners to provide reimbursement for some of the costs they incurred with regard to their own response efforts," Berger said. "Bottom line, we want to ensure our municipal partners are never late to meeting the needs of the residents in a true time of crisis."

The county is hosting two virtual technical assistance sessions, at 10 a.m. Jan. 7, and at 2 p.m. Jan. 13, to answer questions about the application process. A meeting invitation will be sent out to all municipalities before the sessions.

Berger said the county coordinated a joint preliminary damage assessment with state and federal agencies, gathering damage reports from residents and municipalities to evaluate the area's eligibility for federal assistance.

Berger said municipalities reported more than $5 million in damage to public infrastructure and response costs.

With Biden's disaster declaration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency was able to offer individual assistance to residents in areas hardest hit by the July storms, including Cook, Fulton, Henry, St. Clair, Washington, Will and Winnebago counties.