By Andrew Stern
CHICAGO, March 16 (Reuters) - Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn on Friday appealed a federal decision to reject disaster aid that would help the state recover from a Feb. 29 tornado that wiped out hundreds of homes and killed seven people in one town.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency denied disaster aid to Illinois, Missouri and Ohio following two bouts of tornadoes on Feb. 29 and on March 2 that killed dozens, including seven people in Harrisburg, Illinois.
Neither Missouri nor Ohio has appealed FEMA's denial of their applications for disaster assistance. Kentucky and Indiana were granted federal help, which comes in the form of grants, loans and other aid.
Quinn and Illinois' two U.S. senators reacted angrily to the March 10 rejection of a major disaster declaration in five southern counties that would have qualified for federal assistance. The state on Friday formally appealed the decision and provided more information about the damage to support its claim.
"People in Harrisburg, Ridgway and the other communities torn apart by the tornadoes are working hard to put their lives back together," Quinn said in a statement. "For some, a full recovery may be impossible unless they receive the grants and low-interest loans that are only available through a federal disaster declaration."
FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate had explained the agency's assessments are based on factors such as the level of private insurance, private donations, and the capability of local authorities to manage the recovery. He said applications are sometimes rejected and invited Illinois to appeal.
More than 400 homes in Illinois were damaged or destroyed by storms. Harrisburg was hit by an EF-4 tornado, one notch below the most powerful twisters.
Dozens of ruined homes were being bulldozed and debris was piled up in the section of the town where the tornado struck, said First Church of God Pastor Dan Masters in Harrisburg.
People in the town of nearly 10,000 who had nicer homes that were wrecked were more likely to have insurance, but many others of lesser means needed help, he said.
While local governments and private donors were contributing, federal disaster aid would certainly help, Masters said, adding many were surprised when the initial application was rejected by FEMA.
"I don't know what criteria they used, but it's a pretty big blow here," Masters said. "But we're going to make it." (Editing by Daniel Trotta)