Civil Air Patrol Storm Damage Photos Help Washington County Receive Disaster Proclamation
July 12th, 2023 – Illinois Wing Headquarters, Bult Field, Monee, IL
Washington County residents continue to recover more than a week after a derecho and severe storms damaged countless buildings across the county. Starting Tuesday morning on the 4th of July, Civil Air Patrol began supporting the Washington County Emergency Management Agency by providing aerial damage assessment photographs. In part because of these photos, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker issued a disaster proclamation for eight storm-damaged counties, including Washington County on July 11th.
Matt Bierman, the Director of Washington County’s Emergency Management & Office Of Homeland Security, stated that their residents experienced widespread power outages, structure damage, and blocked roads. The photographs taken by Civil Air Patrol assisted in prioritizing how to help residents as they recover from the storms.
“From the ground, we are limited to what we can see from the street. Even if we could quickly drive every road, we won't get the same perspective that these photos provide.” - Matt Bierman
Even with the threat of continued strong storms, crews from both Illinois and Missouri Wings flew across the southern Illinois county for several days, documenting any building damage, downed trees, and power lines they encountered. More than a dozen Civil Air Patrol volunteers spent hundreds of hours supporting four flight crews from two states. The efforts generated hundreds of images which are now visible on FEMA’s website, and the National Weather Service used the photos in its storm assessment process.
“Many people gladly gave up their Fourth of July holiday for this effort, and I hope that the photos helped get the county any aid that may be available through state and federal disaster relief funds.” - 1Lt Daniel P. Niemeyer, CAP
Acting as a Total Force partner and official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, Civil Air Patrol helps First Air Force rapidly respond to non-military threats domestically in a Defense Support of Civil Authorities capacity to save lives, relieve suffering, prevent property damage, and provide humanitarian assistance.
Additional Photos:
Damaged Grain Bins. Photo credit: 1Lt Daniel P. Niemeyer, CAP
Damaged church steeple and roof. Photo credit: 1Lt Daniel P. Niemeyer, CAP
Damaged roof. Photo credit: 1Lt Daniel P. Niemeyer, CAP
Debris from damaged barn. Photo credit: 1Lt Daniel P. Niemeyer, CAP
Uprooted tree. Photo credit: 1Lt Daniel P. Niemeyer, CAP
About Civil Air Patrol
Established in 1941, Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and as such is a member of its Total Force. In its auxiliary role, CAP operates a fleet of 555 single-engine aircraft and 2,250 small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) and performs about 90% of all search and rescue operations within the contiguous United States as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. Often using innovative cellphone forensics and radar analysis software, CAP was credited by the AFRCC with saving 108 lives last year. CAP’s 58,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief, and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state, and local agencies. As a nonprofit organization, CAP plays a leading role in aerospace education using national academic standards-based STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education resources. Members also serve as mentors to 24,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs.
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