The Associated Press

FREEPORT (AP) — Gov. J.B. Pritzker has toured flooded northern Illinois neighborhoods and asked the state’s emergency operations center to expedite help to affected areas.

The National Weather Service says the Rock and Pecatonica rivers have been at flood stage since last week. About 200 residents have evacuated and the American Red Cross is operating shelters and serving meals.

Pritzker on Wednesday in Freeport said the conditions are “some of the highest river levels this area has seen in more than three decades.” He said rebuilding will take a lot effort and told residents the state is “committed to being your partners for the future.”

Pritzker’s office says that as of Wednesday the state has provided 234,000 sandbags, 125 rolls of plastic, 16 pumps and Illinois Department of Corrections crews to fill sandbags.

Photo: Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office