March 26, 2025
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Governor asks federal and state emergency teams to assess flood damage in DePue

Costs in DePue total almost $30 million

By Kim Shute

Neighbors came together in an effort to mitigate damage from flash floods on DePue's west side on May 28. (Shaw Media)

DEPUE — The governor has asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency to conduct damage assessments in DePue after flash flooding on May 28 swept through the west side of the village.

DePue received approximately three-inches of rain in a 50-minute time period, causing flash flooding that lasted several hours. This flooding caused substantial damage to residences and public infrastructure in the community. The initial damage assessment submitted by Bureau County identifies more than $19 million in damages, but those figures must be validated by federal authorities, according to a release sent to Shaw Media.

Damage assessment teams will work remotely using maintenance records, photos and other forms of critical documentation to verify costs associated with the storm.

Keenan Campbell, head of Bureau County Emergency Management Agency said because of the flooding on May 28 that damaged the cornfield neighborhood of DePue, the village declared a local disaster declaration and requested Bureau County to declare a disaster. After the preliminary damage assessment was completed, Bureau County EMA requested a state disaster declaration from IEMA. Gov. J.B. Pritzker approved that declaration request.

"As part of this process, Gov. Pritzker has requested a joint preliminary damage assessment with the village of DePue, Bureau County EMA, IEMA and FEMA. This joint PDA will be completed Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. After the joint PDA is complete, the findings will be provided to President Trump for his decision to issue a Federal Disaster Declaration," he said.

"Bureau County EMA has been providing technical guidance to the village of DePue and working with all partners to bring this incident to a rapid conclusion," Campbell said.

According to Campbell, current damages and costs in DePue are totaling almost $30 million. A box culvert through the neighborhood would need to be replaced and the streets repaired.