Durbin, Halvorson Ask FEMA for Help in Relocating Ottawa School

Press Release

Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Representative Halvorson today asked the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Craig Fugate, for help with the relocation of Central School in Ottawa, Illinois.

"For over a decade, the City of Ottawa has been a model for flood mitigation programs that both the state and FEMA recommend," said Durbin. "Despite the city's efforts, the Central School, located in a recognized flood plain, has been hit hard by three different floods over the past year. Building a new school away from the floodplain is the only permanent solution. Representative Halvorson and I have asked FEMA to work with Ottawa to establish a school that will give nearly 400 students the stability they need to excel in their studies."

"Senator Durbin and I are committed to make sure that the children that are enrolled at Central School can get back into a safe, permanent campus as soon as possible. We're going to make sure FEMA leadership understands exactly what the situation is here and how critical this is to our community," said Halvorson.

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