Village to Seek Federal Aid

The Village of Buffalo Grove hopes to recoup about $100,000 in expenses that stemmed from this winter's blizzard.

Buffalo Grove, like other Lake and Cook county towns, is eligible for federal disaster aid to cover the costs of the , the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced last week.

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.

Public Works Director Greg Boysen said the village spent about $135,000 on snow removal efforts during the blizzard. Nearly $105,000 of the cost was for streets in Lake County, he said. Officials hope to recover 75 percent of the total cost through the FEMA program, Boysen said.

McHenry, Kane, DeKalb, Lake and Cook counties are all eligible, according to FEMA. Assistance is available on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures, including snow assistance, for a continuous 48-hour period in Lake and Cook counties, authorities said.

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