SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WSIL) -- Two southern Illinois counties were issued a disaster declaration after damages to homes due to excessive rain and winds from Hurricane Helene earlier this year.
The USDA Secretary Thomas Vilsack issued the disaster declaration for both Alexander and Union counties on Wednesday, December 18.
The Illinois Department of Agriculture released the information, stating the disaster declaration was for damages to homes on September 28 and 29, 2024.
鈥淎 USDA disaster designation makes emergency loans and other disaster recovery support available to Illinois farmers impacted by the extreme weather,鈥� said Jerry Costello II, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. 鈥淓mergency loan applications must be received within eight months from the date of the declaration. The clock starts ticking when the designation is made, so do not delay if you have storm damage in Alexander or Union Counties.鈥�
For those in the affected counties, if you have any questions, you can reach out to your local .
