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Associated Press - July 23, 2009 8:24 AM ET
CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) - The federal government has added two southern Illinois counties to its disaster declaration related to the severe weather that devastated the region on May 8.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin's office says Hamilton and Union counties were added to the list this week. They join Franklin, Gallatin, Jackson, Randolph, Saline and Williamson counties.
The declaration means local governments in those counties are eligible for federal reimbursement for cleanup and recovery efforts, up to 75% of the cost in some cases.
The storms produced sustained winds of more than 75 miles an hour that uprooted trees and damaged hundreds of homes and businesses.
In addition, the Small Business Administration has set up shop in Jackson and Williamson counties to help local business owners and residents recover as well.
Information from: Jennifer Fuller, WSIU-FM, http://www.wsiu.org
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
