Illinois Governor, J.B. Pritzker, declared a disaster proclamation for 34 counties along the Mississippi and Illinois rivers due to ongoing flooding. This declaration ensures that communities battling floods caused by heavy rain will receive state support. One of the ways that the state is providing support is through the Corrections Department, which will provide work crews to support sandbagging efforts.
The National Weather Service has issued flood warnings for several rivers across Illinois after several days of heavy rainfall. More than 5 inches fell in places like Aurora, Morris, and the Chicago airports. Public works employees in Alton, one of the affected counties, erected a barrier wall on Thursday after a Mississippi River surge closed roadways. The weather service forecasts a crest of 35.5 feet by Sunday or Monday in Alton.
The Mississippi River at Chester on Friday was at nearly 37 feet with the weather service forecasting it to crest at more than 43 feet by Monday. This is a significant increase and confirms the urgency of the state's actions to provide support through the disaster proclamation. The barrier wall will help to mitigate the flood's impact and minimize damage.
The flooding is expected to continue to pose a threat to communities along the Mississippi and Illinois rivers in the coming days. That said, the state's disaster proclamation, including the support from the Corrections Department, will help to ensure that residents of affected counties will have access to the resources they need. This is crucial given the threat that the flooding poses to people's homes and businesses.
In conclusion, the disaster proclamation issued by Governor Pritzker highlights the severity of the situation caused by the ongoing flooding in Illinois. The barriers erected along the Mississippi River will help to mitigate the impact of the flooding and minimize damage. It's essential for communities affected by the flooding to remain vigilant and aware of the risks. Furthermore, the provisions provided through the disaster proclamation should help to provide support for those who need it.