A southern Illinois community hit by two natural disasters in one year is getting some long-awaited good news.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin announced Thursday that the city of Harrisburg will receive $1.6 million in federal disaster relief funds.
Harrisburg suffered severe damage from flooding in the spring of 2011. The following February a tornado ripped through the city, killing eight people and destroying more than 250 homes and businesses.
Durbin says when he toured the area he saw tornado damage that he had never seen before. He says the community is making ``incredible progress'' despite having its initial request for disaster assistance denied.
The funds will be used to improve Harrisburg's waste water treatment plant, protect against future floods and to support local industries.
