Durbin, Obama Statement on Imminent Flooding in Western Illinois

Press Release

U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Barack Obama (D-IL) today issued a statement following a briefing on the effort to control imminent flooding along the Mississippi River in Western Illinois. Earlier today, Durbin was joined by representatives from Obama's office on a telephone briefing with leaders from the three Illinois Army Corps Districts that will likely be affected.

"It is clear that dozens of communities and thousands of residents will be affected by the flood waters as they move south. The Army Corps of Engineers is working round the clock to minimize the impact on residents and businesses in the area, but the task before them is enormous."

"We will continue to work closely with state and local officials to do everything we can to prepare for and minimize the impact of these floods and to ensure that every resource is made available to those communities that are affected."

A second briefing is scheduled later today with the representatives from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, the Illinois National Guard, the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Governor's office and a number of other Illinois state agencies to discuss flood control efforts.

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