President Bush finally declared the Illinois counties of Livingston and Iroquois as federal disaster areas eligible for financial aid on March 5.

Floods in Livingston and Iroquois counties on Jan. 7 and 8 left establishments damaged and county residents homeless.

But the Federal Emergency Management Agency initial assessment of the situation denied the counties any need for federal aid.

State Representative Timothy V. Johnson and Gov. Rod Blagojevich applied to FEMA for a reassessment of damages in the Livingston and Iroquois counties. The counties were declared federal disaster areas after FEMA’s reassessment.

“It took too long and a lot of people were in harm’s way,” said Phil Bloomer, spokesman for Rep. Johnson, “but we’re glad we finally got it.”