News

No federal disaster aid for southern IL dam collapse, flooding

Farmers in southern Illinois are finding out why a strong farm safety net is important this year.

“We are at about 14 inches of rain for July.”

State Representative Charlie Meier’s family has farmed ground in Washington County for generations.

“We’ve had 180 acres underwater.”  He says, “There are areas that have had more.  Up at Grand Fork, they’re at 22 inches of rain for the month of July.”

Farmer, and Washington County board member, Eric Brammeier tells Brownfield…

“Tremendous amounts of rain.”  He says, “Nine- and ten-inch rains in a matter of four or five hours and literally the town of Nashville, every road coming in and out was flooded.”

A dam broke, and hundreds of residents were displaced.  However, Congressman Mike Bost says federal aid isn’t in the cards.

“They don’t quite qualify for FEMA because it’s based on a population.”  He says, “We’re trying to find any grant that we can to try to get that put back in place.”

State disaster assistance could also be utilized to replace the dam, but Bost encourages affected farmers to work closely with their crop insurance agents, and the local FSA office. 

AUDIO: Charlie Meier – State Representative (IL – 109th) & farmer