McLean County EMA: Damage assessment shows “significant number of people and businesses needing assistance”

Posted on July 13, 2021
Matt Burgess, Chief Operating Officer for Home Sweet Home Ministries shows I-EMA representatives the damage that the flooding caused. Burgess estimates flooding at HSHM cost the ministry an estimated $300,000 in damages. (Photo courtesy: Blake Haas/WJBC)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – Just after a month of record flooding in the Twin Cities, the McLean County Emergency Management Agency has completed the initial assessment for the county.

According to a news release, the data compiled by volunteers, Emergency Management Assistance Team (EMAT), Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), Labrers’ Disaster Response Team (LDRT), the McLean County Sheriff’s Office, Team Rubicon, and the Southern Baptist Disaster Response showed a significant number of people and businesses needing assistance.

“Using that list, EMA is working with state and local agencies to try to meet those needs by holding a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC), ” said Cathy Beck, Acting Director for the McLean County Emergency Management Agency.

A MARC brings valuable resources to one location to assist communities that have been affected by a disaster, where people should expect to receive information and referrals.

“We are working to bring together agencies such as the Illinois Department of Human Services, Illinois Department of Insurance, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, local service agencies, comfort dogs, and agencies that specifically assist seniors, veterans, and those with functional needs,” added Beck.

The MARC will be in operation on Saturday, July 17th from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, July 18th from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. and will be held at Bloomington Junior High School.

The Junior High is located at 901 Colton, Ave., in Bloomington.

Each household in attendance will need to show proof of address and should bring an ID.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

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