FEMA Denies Appeal; Harrisburg Fire Chief Says Town ‘Will Survive’

Harrisburg Fire Chief Bill Summers says his southern Illinois town will recover from last month’s deadly tornado with or without FEMA help.

Summers says he’s not surprised that FEMA has denied the state’s appeal for disaster assistance. The agency turned down the original request, saying homeowners’ insurance, local charities and state funds could cover the losses. The state appealed that decision within days.

Summers says recovery will take longer without the federal aid, but debris from the EF4 twister has been cleaned up and people are starting to rebuild.

Seven people killed when a tornado swept through town on Feb. 29.

Gov. Pat Quinn sought assistance for five counties. He says severe storms destroyed or seriously damaged 441 homes and over 100 businesses in the poorest part of Illinois.