The Illinois Emergency Management Agency appealed FEMA’s denial of the state’s request for federal assistance that would help tornado-ravaged communities in nine counties recover from the November 17, 2013 deadly tornado outbreak, including in Washington County.   If the appeal is approved, local governments could receive reimbursement for 75 percent of eligible disaster-related costs such as overtime, debris removal and repair and replacement of damaged public property.  On December 19, 2013, the state requested federal Public Assistance for local governments in nine counties as an add-on to a major disaster declaration issued on November 26^th, which made federal grants and low-interest loans available to people in 15 counties affected by the storms.  The state was notified on January 9, 2014 that the request for Public Assistance had been denied.  This appeal includes more than $21,450,443 in costs the state believes should be considered eligible for federal assistance.  The increase from the initial request is due primarily to the identification of additional costs for debris removal and damage to infrastructure.