CHICAGO — After President Joseph R. Biden Jr. approved a request from the City of Chicago and State of Illinois to declare a federal disaster in response to severe storms and flooding from June 29 to July 2, 2023, Mayor Brandon Johnson issued the following statement:

“Today’s action by the Biden administration is a critical lifeline for Chicagoans, particularly communities on the West Side, who are still reeling from heavy storms and flooding last month,” said Mayor Johnson. “In the days following the storm, the full force of city government quickly took action to mitigate the impacts on the ground. Today’s federal intervention will build on that work and drastically expand our capacity to continue delivering necessary resources and recovery.”

This action will make federal funding available to impacted residents in Cook County, including temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover property loss and damage, and other programs to bolster the city’s continued recovery efforts.

The city’s recovery efforts engaged city departments including Streets and Sanitation, Department of Transportation, Office of Emergency Management and Communications, Chicago Police Department, Chicago Fire Department, and Department of Family and Support Services to respond immediately in impacted areas.

In the weeks following, the city engaged community members directly, including cleanup efforts in impacted areas and distributing resources and supplies.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov, by calling 800-621- FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App.

Additional information and direction will be provided. In the meantime:

• Make sure you have contacted your insurance company.
• You can still apply if you are underinsured or have no insurance.
• Keep and save all your documentation.

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