Illinois and Northwest Indiana Storm-Relief Resources

Chicago and Cook County

1. Complete the Cook County Damage Survey immediately

Residents affected by the July 27 storms should report flooding, fallen trees, structural damage, power-related damage and other losses.

• Complete the official damage survey

• Current deadline: Wednesday, August 5, 2026

• Available in English, Spanish, Polish, Ukrainian and Mandarin

This is not an application for money and does not guarantee assistance. However, the reports help officials determine whether Cook County qualifies for state or federal relief. Residents should also notify their insurance company. Cook County announcement

2. Cook County Emergency Management

Residents can contact the county for current recovery information and updates about possible assistance programs.

• Phone: 312-603-8180

• Cook County Emergency Management

3. 211 Metro Chicago

211 can connect Chicago and suburban Cook County residents with emergency housing, food, cleanup assistance, utility support and other local programs.

• Call: 211

• Text your ZIP code to 898-211

• Alternate number: 773-362-4401

• Search for assistance

4. American Red Cross

People displaced by flooding or whose homes sustained major damage can ask about temporary shelter, emergency financial assistance, health services and mental-health support.

• Call: 1-800-RED-CROSS — 800-733-2767

• Illinois disaster assistance

5. Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services

The Salvation Army may provide meals, drinking water, food boxes, cleanup supplies and referrals depending on what has been activated locally.

• Call: 1-800-SAL-ARMY — 800-725-2769

• Find disaster-relief services

Northwest Indiana

6. Indiana 211

Lake, Porter and other Northwest Indiana residents should report storm damage and ask for local shelter, food, cleanup and financial-assistance referrals.

• Call: 211

• Alternate number: 866-211-9966

• Indiana 211

Reporting damage is important because Indiana uses these reports to calculate losses and determine whether additional government assistance should be requested.

7. Lake County Emergency Management

• Phone: 219-755-3549

• Address: 2900 W. 93rd Ave., Crown Point

• Lake County Emergency Management

8. Porter County Emergency Management

• Phone: 219-462-8654

• Address: 1995 S. State Road 2, Valparaiso

• Porter County Emergency Management

9. Indiana State Disaster Relief Fund

Indiana currently has a state Individual Assistance program for eligible residents affected by the June 9–18, 2026 storms in designated counties. That program does not automatically cover damage from the latest August storms.

• Check eligibility and apply

• Indiana disaster resources

FEMA status

FEMA assistance is only available for a particular incident after a federal disaster declaration designates the affected county for Individual Assistance. I found no such declaration for the latest Cook County storm as of August 3.

Residents should still:

1. Photograph and video all damage.

2. Save receipts for hotels, cleanup, repairs and replacement items.

3. Report losses to insurance.

4. Complete the appropriate government damage survey.

5. Avoid discarding damaged property until it has been documented.

If FEMA assistance is later approved, residents can apply at DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-621-3362.