Rauner declares 23 counties disaster areas, seeks FEMA help

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner, right, walks with assistant director of Illinois Emergency Management Agency Joseph Klinger as he surveys tornado damage Friday, July 17, 2015 in Delavan, Ill. At least three tornadoes hit communities in the northwest corner of Illinois and the central part of the state late Thursday, causing extensive damage but no significant injuries, officials said. | Steve Smedley / The Pantagraph via AP

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Bruce Rauner has issued a state disaster proclamation for 23 counties devastated by severe storms this summer and has asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help assess the damages there.

Rauner on Monday said a series of storms in June and July caused heavy rainfall, flash and river flooding, tornadoes and straight-line winds in the 23 counties stretching from Alexander County on the Ohio River to Grundy County in north central Illinois.

SEVERE WEATHER Officials confirm tornado in Grayslake

Rauner says staffers from FEMA, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Small Business Administration and local emergency management agencies are expected to begin assessing damage to homes and businesses in Adams, Grundy, Iroquois, Jersey, Mason, Tazewell and Warren counties later this week.

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