ALEXANDER COUNTY, ILL., DECLARED DISASTER AREA

CAIRO, Ill. -- Gov. Jim Edgar has declared two more counties Alexander and Jackson as disaster areas because of flooding threats.

The declaration sets the stage for special assistance and mobilizing state resources to help flood-stricken communities along the Mississippi River.

"This declaration is an important part of the state's response to flooding caused by the extensive rains that have continued to hit the state since mid-March," said Edgar. "It will help protect the health and safety of the citizens in these communities."

Louis Maze, an Alexander County commissioner, said, "It's a big help for us. We've been running our pumps several days, and the emergency declaration will provide funds to operate the pumps."

The cost of operating the five pumps in operation is $800 a day, added Maze.

"That adds up," said Maze. "The county has already run up a tab of more than $30,000, and we'll have to keep the pumps running as long as the river stage here is over 35 feet. The river stage Monday was near the 40-foot mark at Cairo."

The government started picking up the pumping costs May 13, according to Maze.

Maze said flood waters were threatening in areas north of Cairo, Future City, Urbandale, and the Klondike area.

"We're running five pumps in those areas," said Maze. "And, we're keeping a close eye on them."

A total of nine counties have been declared disaster areas as a result of flooding throughout Illinois, mostly in the mid-to-northern areas of the state.

In addition to paving the way for possible federal assistance, the governor's action authorizes state agencies to provide needed assistance to these areas where unusually high levels of the Mississippi River threaten to flow over existing levees.

The Departments of Transportation and Conservation are providing pumps for the area where flood waters are seeping under levees to prevent communities from being flooded.

In addition, the Department of Central Management Services will coordinate the purchase of fuel for the pumps by the local communities, allowing them to obtain the fuel more cheaply.