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From a press release:
Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today declared seven Illinois counties state disaster areas following a round of storms that moved quickly through the area this weekend, causing severe damage and approximately two dozen minor injuries. While staff with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) is still assessing the damage, no fatalities have been reported as of mid-day Monday, March 13, 2006.
UPDATE:Wow:
Statement as of 12:32 PM EST on March 13, 2006record event report
National Weather Service Quad Cities IA IL
1130 am Mon Mar 13 2006… Record peak wind gust set at Moline…
A record peak wind gust of 107 mph was set at 7:48 PM Sunday March
12th at the Quad City Airport in Moline Illinois.The previous peak wind gust was 81 mph set on August 21 1987.
(Via Drudge and a hat tip to a friend))
UPDATE: Promoted from comments:
When the new Emergency Ops Center was opened earlier this year, reporters asked the Governor, since he spent all his time in Chicago, how much time would he ever spend at the EOC in Springfield. Now we know: he didn’t get down there until Noon, and he didn’t fly direct to the helipad they built for him, but to the airport first.The press room at the EOC apparently was not photogenic enough for him to make the formal disaster declaration, so he led the press on a 1-hour side trip only so he could pose in front of wrecked buildings to make the announcement there.
After his 20-some-hour performance on the air, harking back to David Sarnoff on top of the department store, Jim Leach could run for governor and win Sangamon county easy. He really held this town together last night, and the Midwest Radio Group is to be commended for their great team coverage all thru the night and into the daylight. While the big corporate Clear Channel stations ran on autopilot most of the night, Leach and crew were the vital central link for citizens, and some of the credit for there being no fatalities should go to them for their ample and detailed warning bulletins. Bravo, you guys.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Mar 13, 06 @ 2:16 pm
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Springfield a disaster area…Naw, it’s just too easy. I’m not going there.
Comment by Snicker Monday, Mar 13, 06 @ 2:33 pm
if handled well, a disaster can solidify support for a governor (jeb bush is a great example), even when everything else is going wrong. makes the guv look decisive, commanding, etc. so it will be interesting to see how one of the most handled governors in the country plays this hand…
Comment by bored now Monday, Mar 13, 06 @ 2:49 pm
or it can make you look hopelessly out of touch and become a political albatross around your neck and every policy you have, just ask Jeb’s brother.
Comment by anon Monday, Mar 13, 06 @ 3:04 pm
Classy Snicker, real classy.
Comment by Krenzler Monday, Mar 13, 06 @ 3:28 pm
This was probably the Guv’s only time he wanted to come down to Springfield. Make sure to smile in all those photos G-Rod.
Comment by scoot Monday, Mar 13, 06 @ 3:33 pm
Springfield can and will be rebuilt. But Blago is going down…..
Comment by DISGUSTED Monday, Mar 13, 06 @ 5:19 pm
The signs go up tommorrow in Springfield”FIGHTING ONE TORNADO AT A TIME.THIS RELIEF BROUGHT TO YOU BY ROD BLAGOJEVICH YOUR GOVERNOR
Comment by DOWNSTATE Monday, Mar 13, 06 @ 5:20 pm
When the new Emergency Ops Center was opened earlier this year, reporters asked the Governor, since he spent all his time in Chicago, how much time would he ever spend at the EOC in Springfield. Now we know: he didn’t get down there until Noon, and he didn’t fly direct to the helipad they built for him, but to the airport first.
The press room at the EOC apparently was not photogenic enough for him to make the formal disaster declaration, so he led the press on a 1-hour side trip only so he could pose in front of wrecked buildings to make the announcement there.
After his 20-some-hour performance on the air, harking back to David Sarnoff on top of the department store, Jim Leach could run for governor and win Sangamon county easy. He really held this town together last night, and the Midwest Radio Group is to be commended for their great team coverage all thru the night and into the daylight. While the big corporate Clear Channel stations ran on autopilot most of the night, Leach and crew were the vital central link for citizens, and some of the credit for there being no fatalities should go to them for their ample and detailed warning bulletins. Bravo, you guys.
Comment by Windy Monday, Mar 13, 06 @ 6:07 pm
As usual, in a time of trouble, WMAY does their usual outstanding job of keeping us all informed.
Double bravos all around. I don’t care about anyone’s position on Jim Leach, they sure can’t fault his work ethic.
Governor Putz shows up for photo ops - surprise, surprise.
Comment by Ex-Newfie Monday, Mar 13, 06 @ 6:20 pm
Did anyone notice the Illinois Information Service website this morning…it said “Governor Edgar is coming to Springfield to view storm damage and direct state agency assistance.” By mid-afternoon someone caught the typo and replaced it with “Governor Blagojevich.” Talk about Freudian slips…
Comment by Anon Monday, Mar 13, 06 @ 6:39 pm
Figures - Rich compliments Jim Leach, and you need hip waders to deal with the snarky comments. Can’t you guys let it rest at least till all the power is back on in Springfield?
Comment by Smitty Irving Monday, Mar 13, 06 @ 6:44 pm
Did everyone see the headlines?
Governor Blagojevich’s All-Disasters Opportunity Returns Relief Program To Begin July 1, 2006.
Governor asks General Assembly for a blank check to cover any unexpected expenses because “We have to help the great people of Illinois, especially the elderly and the children.” The governor also was heard to remark that these darn things just seem to happen with very little warning. “I will set up a task force to discover why these things occur in our great state. Our citizens do not deserve the hardships brought on by floods, snow and strong winds. I will personally see that these things are not allowed to happen under my watch. No more weather as usual.”
Comment by Papa Legba Monday, Mar 13, 06 @ 6:54 pm
I will be the first to state that I despise Jim Leach’s politics, but I will also be the first to say that he (and the rest of Midwest Family Broadcasting) were probably the greatest lifeline that held this city together. Huddled in the dark with no power, and two more bands of very bad storms bearing down on us and with a large section of the city wrecked, Leach was the one connection to the outside world that most of this area had. No TV, no other radio stations, just WMAY.
I had to stay up all night to listen to WMAY, because they were acting as our emergency warning system - no power to the sirens after the first hit (whoever designed that crap system should be severly beaten). By allowing the phone lines to be open and taking calls from people, as a listener you could get a real good sense of what was happening, what to avoid, tips on survival, and everything. It also was an immense help to morale, and throughout today WMAY continued to be that central outlet for information and assistance.
As much as I don’t like Leach’s opinions, I must give him the highest commendation, and would recommend him for any civic award that our city can give him. So everyone should back off Leach - many people here owe a lot to him. Right now, there are no politics in Springfield, just people trying to survive a cold night without power and put their lives back together.
So Leach, if you read this, you still suck as a political pundit, but you and the rest there at WMAY are heroes. A job well done, we all owe you a debt.
Comment by ILPatriot Monday, Mar 13, 06 @ 7:56 pm
Rod is quoted as saying “I heard President Bush is trying to get a hold of me”
This is a re-inactment of George Bush, trying to get a hold of Rod Blagojevich at the Governor’s Mansion in Springfield: This is only a re-inactment.
(Bush dialing the Mansion … ringing … phone is picked up…voice mail)
“Hi, this is Rod Blagojevich, I am not available at this number or address, but if you call my walk up in Chicago, Bradley Tusk will be able to take your call as soon as Bradley is available. Thanks for calling and wait to be forwarded”
“If this is a fundraising call, press 8 and have your checking account number or visa ready”
Comment by The Gov's Mansion Answering Machine Monday, Mar 13, 06 @ 9:20 pm