500 homes hurt in flood, storms

More than 500 Kane County homes were affected by last week's floods, public health officials said Tuesday.

Some 514 single-family homes, 50 mobile homes and 15 apartments sustained damage related to the recent rains, which raised the level of water in the Fox River and other bodies of water.

"These numbers are definitely going to go higher," Don Bryant, director of the county's office of emergency management, told the county board's public health committee Tuesday.

That's because more residents are expected to come forward with problems.

The river reached flood stage -- measured at 16.1 feet above its normal level -- on Aug. 22 and is now at 14.3 feet, according to the U.S. Geological Survey measurement at South Elgin.

Today members of Bryant's staff plan to distribute cleanup materials and water test kits to flood victims. Kane County Health Department officials will offer tetanus shots starting at 3 p.m. today at the Congregational Church in Algonquin, and Novak Park in St. Charles.

Storm victims also can apply for low-interest loans to repair and replace items lost to the flood, Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias announced this week.

The Opportunity Illinois Disaster Loan program is available to residents living in declared disaster areas who are waiting for insurance settlements or other aid programs to take effect. Residents must secure the loan within 90 days at a bank or financial institution that participates in the program. For more information, call (312) 814-1244 or e-mail opportunityillinois@treasurer.state.il.us.

Paul Kuehnert, executive director of the Kane County Health Department, praised his staff, Bryant's staff and other county employees for their timely response to the disaster.

"I think we saw this extraordinary coming together of the community and public servants," Kuehnert said. "It's a team effort."