CHICAGO – On Friday, September 20, United States President Joseph R. Biden signed a federal Major Disaster Declaration authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Individual Assistance program for seven counties in Illinois that includes Cook County and the City of Chicago.

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Illinois Disaster Declaration | The White House

FEMA’s Individual Assistance could include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the severe weather the state experienced on July 13 through July 16, 2024.

Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications is working with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and FEMA/Office of Homeland Security to provide additional information and services to those affected by severe weather. For details on FEMA assistance for the July 13-16 storms (DR-4819-IL), visit FEMA.gov/disaster/4819

Residents and businesses who sustained damages in the city can begin applying for Disaster Assistance by reaching out to FEMA:

• Apply online at gov
• Use the FEMA mobile app - FEMA App.  
• Call the disaster assistance helpline at 800-621-3362. Multilingual operators are available. If you use video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.  

Disaster Recovery Centers will be open soon in all seven counties with more opportunities for disaster survivors to engage with FEMA representatives on the disaster application process.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. Reasonable accommodations, including translation and American Sign Language interpreters via Video Relay Service will be available to ensure effective communication with applicants with limited English proficiency, disabilities, and access and functional needs. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-3362 (including 711 or Video Relay). 

For additional information on disaster relief emergency preparedness information, visit the OEMC website at Chicago.gov/OEMC. Follow the Office of Emergency Management and Communications on Facebook (@coemc), X /Twitter.com (@ChicagoOEMC), Instagram (chicago_oemc_911), and

OEMC Chicago - YouTube

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About OEMC

Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) oversees several functions that support public safety and provides assistance to residents 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The OEMC manages the following operational areas for the city: 9-1-1 call taking and dispatch; the 3-1-1 call center; emergency management; and traffic management. The OEMC coordinates with departments citywide, including the Chicago Police Department and Chicago Fire Department, in addition to various other local, state, and federal agencies as it relates to public safety planning and coordination for everything from large-scale special events to public safety emergencies and disasters.