Paulison says FEMA is continuing to assess damage in the 13 Illinois counties declared disaster areas. Another 11 counties may be placed on the list after damage there is assessed. Paulison added that so far he's pleased with FEMA's response.
Meanwhile, severe thunderstorms predicted for parts of Iowa, Minnesota and Illinois could affect flooding downstream along the Mississippi River. Storms were predicted for portions of the Midwest over the next several days and rain's already falling in northern Missouri this morning. In Grafton, Illinois, the river was expected to crest Saturday evening. Hydrologist and meteorologist Mark Fuchs says the river's expected to crest at 31 feet. That's 13 feet above flood stage and one foot higher than its current level.