IL Governor Visits Cairo, Metropolis Flooding

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and state Emergency Management Agency Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau met on Tuesday with local authorities in Massac and Alexander counties, as local residents battle Mississippi and Ohio river floodwaters.

Pritzer stopped short of declaring an official state of emergency for Illinois river counties, but said that the state Emergency Operations Center in Springfield will be monitoring flooding in southern Illinois and will prepare to deploy assistance should local officials request it.

A crew from the Illinois Department of Corrections' Shawnee Correctional Center is placing sandbags to hold back water in Alexander County. Sandbags have been deployed to Massac County and pumps to both areas.

The American Red Cross is also working in the area to assist residents and supporting volunteers.

State officials offer tips for safety and preparedness at Ready.Illinois.gov (see link below).

On the Net:

Ready.Illinois.gov