I-EMA tours Home Sweet Home Ministries to survey flood damage

Posted on July 2, 2021
Matt Burgess, Chief Operating Officer for Home Sweet Home Ministries shows I-EMA representatives the damage that the flooding caused. (Photo courtesy: Blake Haas/WJBC)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (I-EMA) is spending time in the Twin Cities this weekend surveying storm damage.

The first stop, I-EMA, joined local legislators and community representatives in touring Home Sweet Home Ministries (HSHM), who suffered over $300,000 worth of damage from 36′ of water.

I-EMA Chief of Staff Declan Binninger (left) spoke with State Rep. Dan Brady (right) after the tour. (Photo courtesy: Blake Haas/WJBC)

“What we wanted to do today was try and articulate where we are at from a scenario of response and try and work with I-EMA from the county side of things that had to be done first,” said State Rep. Dan Brady.

This weekend, I-EMA, along with 40 volunteer residents, are going door-to-door survey storm damage.

“What we have here in McLean County is going on right now are damage assessments to determine what, if any, additional assistance can be brought to bear to help the residents, businesses, communities that were affected by this story,” added I-EMA Chief of Staff Declan Binninger.

HSHM CFO Matt Burgess spoke with county and legislative representatives before the tour of flood damage. (Photo courtesy: Blake Haas/WJBC)

Last Wednesday, McLean County issued a Declaration of Disaster as the city reports Public Works crews have clocked over 300 hours of overtime in clean-up repairs.

For those who think the city of Bloomington is to blame for storm damage, a claim can be filed with the city.

Donations can be made to HSHM online at hshministries.org/donate or in-person at 303 E. Oakland Ave. in Bloomington.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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