12.10.09

Durbin Announces Over $3 Million for Flood Protection in Machesney Park

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Village of Machesney Park will receive a $3,008,816 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for flood protection efforts in Machesney Park. After historic flooding last year, a Presidential Disaster Declaration was issued on June 24, 2008 when many of the structures in the Rock River floodplain were damaged beyond repair.

 

“Today’s funding is welcome news for the residents and businesses who were hit hard by devastating floods over a year ago,” said Durbin. “This additional assistance will help Machesney Park repair the remaining damage and rebuild the community.”

 

This project will protect the health, safety and welfare of Village of Machesney Park residents. Additionally, it will reduce future flood insurance claims and the financial obligation of federal, state and local governments after a disaster. The proposed project will involve the voluntary acquisition of land that will be returned to green space, allowing flooding to occur without damage to property. Machesney Park is looking to enter into negotiations with roughly 50 property owners as part of its buyout plan.

 

Durbin toured flooded areas of Illinois on June 21, 2008, making his last stop in Machesney Park. He talked with flood victims, some undergoing their second deluge of the year and noted that the Midwest floods were as bad as or worse than the 1993 Mississippi River floods.

 

Today’s grant was awarded through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) provides grants to States and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures after a major disaster declaration. The purpose of the HMGP is to reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters and to enable mitigation measures to be implemented during the immediate recovery from a disaster.