USDA Secretary Vilsack has issued four disaster declarations for Illinois due to tornadoes and drought during the 2023 growing season. Based on Loss Assessment Reports, the USDA determined significant production losses, warranting natural disaster designations.
The following counties have received USDA Disaster Designations, with primary and contiguous counties eligible for assistance:
Designation 1: Tornado on March 31, 2023:
Primary Counties: Bureau, Clark & Crawford
Contiguous Counties: Coles, Henry, Lawrence, Putnam, Stark, Cumberland, Jasper, Lee, Richland, Whiteside, Edgar, LaSalle & Marshall
Designation 2: Tornado on April 4, 2023:
Primary County: Fulton
Contiguous Counties: Knox, Mason, Schuyler, Warren, McDonough, Peoria & Tazewell
Designation 3: Tornadoes and high winds from March 31 to April 5, 2023:
Primary Counties: Henry, Mercer, Rock Island & Sangamon
Contiguous Counties: Bureau, Knox, Menard, Stark, Cass, Logan, Montgomery, Warren,
Christian, Macon, Morgan, Whiteside, Henderson & Macoupin
Designation 4: Drought:
Primary County: Randolph
Contiguous Counties: Jackson, Monroe, Perry, St. Clair & Washington
Previous drought designations covered Hancock, Adams, Calhoun, and Pike counties as contiguous counties in a Missouri disaster designation.
The Secretarial disaster designation allows the USDA Farm Service Agency to provide emergency loans to affected producers. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the declaration date to apply for emergency loans. Affected individuals should contact their local USDA Service Center for inquiries or to file a Notice of Loss.
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Categories: Illinois, Business