Seven Southern Illinois counties declared a disaster area

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Gov. Pat Quinn has declared seven Southern Illinois counties disaster areas from the snow and ice storms earlier in the week.

Alexander, Hardin, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski and Union counties have suffered downed trees and a loss of power to more than 12,000 residences and will now get support from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency to coordinate state resources to support local governments in response and recovery efforts.

"IEMA has been coordinating closely with local officials to determine what assistance they need from the state," Quinn said. "This declaration will ensure that state assets are available to help them protect the safety of their citizens and quickly recover from this destructive winter storm."