S. Ill. gets federal disaster aid for May storms

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CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) — Six southern Illinois counties are getting federal reimbursement for much of their efforts to recover from May storms.

As part of the disaster declaration signed Thursday by President Barack Obama, government agencies in Franklin, Gallatin, Jackson, Randolph, Saline and Williamson counties can get back up to 75 percent of what they spent rebounding from the May 8 storm.

The state has said the severe weather that included hail, straight-line winds, pounding rains and isolated tornadoes destroyed or severely damaged at least 260 homes and uprooted thousands of trees. Gov. Pat Quinn's administration says the storm cost the region $26 million.

Federal funding will be available to state and eligible local governments and certain private, nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis.