Illinois activates emergency operations center to assist flood victims

Posted on May 2, 2017

A Flood Warning continues for the Illinois River near Peoria. (Photo courtesy Facebook/Michael Denison)

By Eric Stock

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Bruce Rauner is activating the state’s emergency operations center to help flooded communities.

The center helps coordinate emergency and relief efforts to rain soaked areas. Rauner said a big focus now is on river flooding that will increase throughout the week.

“I’ll probably be traveling around the state in the coming days, reviewing the damage and making sure we are providing the support services to are communities that have been hard hit,” Rauner said.

Inmates have already been deployed to help with sandbagging in Murphysboro and De Soto, and sandbags and plastic have been delivered to Dawson near Springfield, Grand Tower and the Menard Correctional Center in Chester.

The American Red Cross has a shelter in Marion and others are on standby if needed.

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