Nearly 40 rescuers from fire departments in Illinois have arrived in Texas to offer assistance following the state’s deadly flood. On Saturday, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency said the 39 crew members were heading to Texas as part of the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS);

The grants are funded by a multi-billion dollar Volkswagen settlement and will be distributed by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

With farming being an unpredictable and crucial profession to Central Illinois, local farmers and others across the country can now get some financial assistance from the federal government.

Climate change is increasing the risk of dangerous floods. But people often balk at the cost of flood insurance, especially since many doubt they need protection.