The Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security opened a state disaster recovery center for Cook County Oct. 6, which will close Oct. 13.
Located inside the Douglass branch of the Chicago Public Library, the center will offer help to those in Cook County who were affected by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in the area from July 13 through 16 this year.
Specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, state of Illinois, and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be at the disaster recovery center to help those who are applying for disaster relief, which includes financial help with home repairs, loans or temporary housing.
This assistance also includes answering any questions, helping to identify and upload proper documents, and providing additional resources. Those who visit the disaster recovery center can also learn ways to make their properties more resistant to severe storms and tornadoes.
Throughout Cook County, thousands of trees were downed during July’s storms, crushing parked cars and power lines. Meteorologists reported that 27 tornadoes touched down in the Chicago area on July 15 alone, according to WBEZ, a record-breaking number for a single storm.
Although Chicago and Broadview were among the areas hardest hit, trees were brought down by the storms over houses and streets in Oak Park.
While officials reported that tornadoes touched down in West Town, Chicago neighborhoods a little further west are still recovering from storms in June and July of 2023.
Chicago’s West Side received over $66 million from FEMA for last year’s storms. However, hundreds of residents are still dealing with water damage and moldy basements without hope for additional financial aid.
Those who have been affected by this year’s July storms can visit any disaster recovery center for help after the Cook County location closes, since there are additional centers in other counties. To find the one closest to you, visit FEMA.gov/DRC.
The Cook County disaster center in North Lawndale, like all others, offers help in English, American sign language, and through other translated materials. There is accessible parking at all disaster recovery centers.
Those affected by July’s storms can also apply for FEMA assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov, through the FEMA mobile app, or by calling (800) 621-3362.
For more information about Illinois’ disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4819.
The Cook County disaster recovery center is at the Douglass branch of the Chicago Public Library, located at 3353 W. 13th St. in Chicago. It is open during the following hours: Monday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 12 to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.
Update, Oct. 11 at 3 p.m.: This article has been updated to include information about the disaster center’s closure.