Damage from the July 15 tornado included this fir tree being blown down over the Windmont Park walking path. [Photo by Michael Berry]

The state of Illinois has declared Henry County a disaster area in the wake of the July 15 tornadoes that swept through the county.

That’s good news for Kewanee, where city officials have been seeking government assistance with the cost of clearing trees and other debris from the storm.

Kewanee officials have hoped for a federal disaster declaration for Henry County, which would have enabled the city to apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) money to pay for the cleanup.

City Manager Gary Bradley said the cost could be as much as $400,000. 

“Governor Pritzker has requested a federal Major Disaster Declaration from the President of the United States through FEMA,” according to a news release issued Friday by Mat Schnepple, director of the Henry County Office of Emergency Management. “If approved, this declaration would enable impacted communities to access individual assistance from FEMA and disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).”

The news release added, “Additional information will be made available once a decision is received from the White House.”

While the state won’t provide money to pay for the cleanup, Bradley said, Kewanee will seek more direct state assistance: Equipment and personnel to help with the work

Bradley said the city has been working with Schnepple’s office to secure help in the cleanup effort.

Schnepple said Henry County is one of seven Illinois counties included in the disaster declaration.

The Henry County OEM declared a local state of emergency for Kewanee and Wethersfield townships on the day after the tornadoes.

“Since that day,” the news release said, “the Henry County OEM has been working closely with impacted communities to provide resources and assistance.”

The state’s emergency proclamation “allows the county to access additional state resources and emergency personnel who can assist in our continued response and recovery efforts,” the news release said.

The release said the state disaster declaration followed “extensive field work to assess the damage and destruction caused by the storms in Henry County.”