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Kane County emergency manager outlines flood damage, seeks SBA verification for low‑interest loans
Summary
County emergency management reported concentrated flash flooding around July 4, documented dozens of major damage reports and said field verification with IEMA and the SBA is scheduled to determine eligibility for low‑interest loans for affected homeowners and businesses.
KANE COUNTY — The county’s emergency management director told the Judicial and Public Safety Committee on July 16 that a July 4–6 storm produced concentrated flash flooding across parts of Kane County, left some roads impassable and caused significant basement and structural damage to residences.
Director Scott said local surveys collected 255 public reports, with 59 initially flagged as 'major' damage. He told the committee that the county has requested a preliminary damage assessment from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration; county and federal teams will go into the field next Wednesday to verify damage. Scott said 25 confirmed major damage reports countywide are required to qualify for SBA physical‑damage assistance, which takes the form of low‑interest loans, not grants.
Scott described localized impacts — including a washed‑out culvert on Scott Road, which the county’s road partner estimated would cost about $100,000 to repair — and said crews distributed 60 Red Cross cleanup kits and referred residents to health and emotional‑support resources. He added that many residents lack flood insurance, so federal public assistance thresholds for disaster declarations are difficult to meet.
"We believe next Wednesday we'll be going out in the field with IEMA and SBA to verify the damage," Scott said, outlining the next step for making low‑interest SBA loans available to qualifying homeowners and businesses. He noted the loans are not a cash grant and described eligibility procedures and potential timelines.
Committee members asked about available resources for pumping water, emotional‑support referrals and the role of a new county disaster‑readiness group that will provide public education and outreach about insurance and preparedness. Scott said the emerging DisasterReady Kane initiative will focus on pre‑disaster planning, training and outreach and will be funded through subscriber fees and fundraising partnerships, including the United Way of Fox Valley.
The committee did not take separate action on recovery programs beyond approving two emergency management resolutions on intergovernmental loans and a hazmat planning grant; staff said they will notify the public if the county qualifies for SBA assistance.
