McLean County issues disaster declaration after weekend flooding

Flooding shut down major thoroughfares, including a portion of I-55 between McLean and Shirley.(Facebook/Mt. Hope-Funks Grove FPD)

By Neil Doyle

BLOOMINGTON – McLean County Board Chairman John McIntyre has issued a disaster declaration after severe storms over the weekend caused countywide damage.

“The purpose of the declaration, which remains in effect for seven days, is to assist in getting an appropriate and accurate assessment of damage totals across the county,” said McIntyre. “This will help determine if the cumulative level of damage would allow local government units or individuals affected most by the disaster to qualify for state or federal funds.”

It’s unknown at this time if assessed damages will qualify for funding.

Over the weekend, the county suffered widespread damage from thunderstorms with heavy rainfall, strong wind gusts, and golf ball sized hail. Flooding shut down major thoroughfares, including a portion of I-55 between McLean and Shirley.

The disaster declaration can be found here.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…