Resources Available for Will County Residents Impacted by Storms

Resource Center and Food Event in Eastern Will County Open to All Residents

Following a series of storms that have resulted in damage and power outages in several communities, the Will County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is spotlighting recovery resources available to residents. These include the 2-1-1 information hotline, a Multi-Agency Resource Center, and a Food Distribution Event.

“From the first warning through the ongoing recovery, this event has required a truly countywide effort,” said Will County EMA Director Allison Anderson. “The damage and power outages have been significant, but so has the response from our first responders, municipalities, public works crews, utility partners, state agencies, nonprofit and faith-based organizations, and volunteers. We appreciate the coordination that went into bringing these resources together.”

2-1-1 Hotline: Will County’s 2-1-1 Hotline remains the primary contact for residents in need of resources related to the storm events that have impacted local communities over the last two weeks. The hotline can connect residents with debris and tree removal assistance, emergency shelter, food and basic needs, cleanup and disaster recovery resources, and other storm related needs. Anyone within Will County can call 2-1-1 or text their ZIP code to 898211.

Food Distribution Event: Will County EMA is partnering with Loaves & Fishes Community Services to host a Drive-Up Food Giveaway on Saturday, August 15 from Noon to 3 p.m. (or while supplies last). The event is open to all Will County residents and will be hosted at Faith Movers Church at 425 W. Exchange St. in University Park. Attendees can expect to stay in their vehicles while volunteers load them with one box of food per household.

Resource Center: A Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) open to all Will County residents will be opened on Monday, August 17 at the Village of University Park Town Center, located at 90 Town Center Drive in University Park. The Resource Center will host a variety of local agencies to offer recovery resources. The MARC will be open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

Agencies represented at the MARC currently include the Will County Health Department, Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Illinois Department of Human Services, Illinois Department of Insurance, American Red Cross, Veterans Assistance Commission, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Will County Animal Protection Services, and Salvation Army.

The MARC will primarily serve as an information center for available recovery resources, but represented agencies will provide hands-on assistance with resource navigation and providing supplies when staff are on-site. This includes support with SNAP replacement benefits, insurance claim navigation assistance, cleanup support, emotional support, veteran support, and pet supplies.

“Thank you to all our emergency management teams and first responders as they continue to navigate this second wave of storms,” said Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant “Their efforts are truly remarkable. Again, in the face of difficulties, our residents work together to support each other. We are appreciative of all our volunteers.”    

Survey: Will County EMA is inviting residents and business owners to fill out an online survey to support local officials in assessing the damage of the severe weather on August 11. The survey is available at www.willcountyema.org/storm.

“No resident should have to navigate recovery alone,” said Anderson. “We encourage anyone affected by the storms to utilize these resources and complete our storm damage survey. These steps will help us connect residents with immediate assistance and direct recovery resources to the communities that need them most.”