Southern Illinois Congressman John Shimkus visited tornado ravaged areas of Harrisburg and Ridgway Thursday.A day after a violent EF-4 tornado ripped through the region, the Collinsville Republican says he's amazed by the community's response as they work to reclaim their lives. Shimkus says several residents he talked with are tired and weary, but looking to the future. He says people are going through the debris to see what they can salvage and helping each other every step of the way.
Shimkus says he is also pleased to see how quickly insurance companies have responded and the efforts they are making to help storm victims through the process. Shimkus says he's talked with Federal Emergency Management Agency officials about what type of federal assistance might be available, especially to communities to help pay for the extra costs associated with the clean up.
