Governor Bruce Rauner added more 11 counties to the state disaster declaration for widespread flooding, including Marion County.  Last week, he declared several counties, including Clinton, Madison, Monroe, Randolph and Saint Clair counties, to be state disaster areas after heavy rains caused several rivers and waterways to surge to record or near-record levels.  This announcement brings the total number of declared counties to 23.  “The impacts of this flood event have been felt in many communities across the state,” said Governor Rauner.  “We’re continuing to provide personnel and resources communities need as they battle flood waters and begin their recovery process.”  A state disaster declaration makes a wide variety of state resources available that can help communities respond and recover from flooding.  Such resources include sandbags, sand, pumps, trucks, inmate crews and other assistance to ensure public safety.  As flood waters begin receding in some areas, local emergency management agencies are beginning to collect damage information from affected people and units of local government.  That information will be forwarded to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, where it will be reviewed to develop a picture of the overall impact on people and local governments.  If the initial damage information shows losses that may meet thresholds for a federal disaster declaration, the state could request that the Federal Emergency Management Agency join state and local officials for a more thorough assessment of the damage.  If it appears the state meets the federal assistance criteria, the governor could request a major disaster declaration from the President.  There are two separate federal assistance programs.  The Individual Assistance program offers grants and low-interest loans to people affected by disasters.  The Public Assistance program provides reimbursement up to 75 percent of eligible costs incurred by local governments as they dealt with the disaster and subsequent recovery.  IEMA Director James K. Joseph says it will take a few weeks to gather the initial damage assessment information from local emergency management officials.  For updates on the current situation, visit the Ready Illinois website at www.ready.illinois.gov.