Lake Forest, Lake Bluff Can Seek Federal Aid

and , like other Lake County towns, are eligible for federal disaster aid to cover the costs of the Blizzard of 2011, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said Thursday.

Funding is “available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the snowstorm,” according to a FEMA release.

 Lake, Cook, McHenry, Kane, and DeKalb counties are all eligible, FEMA stated. Assistant is available on a cost-sharing basis emergency protective measures, including snow assistance, for a continuous 72-hour period in Lake County, authorities said.

The historic snowstorm hit Jan. 31 and paralyzed the entire region with 17 to 20 inches of snow in some areas.

cost for things like snow removal was $29,716 as a result of the overtime needed for the blizzard, while spent $33,041 in overtime, which consisted of $35,357 for snow removal and $7,654 for public safety.