NAPERVILLE, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- It’s been six months since a tornado blew through the western suburbs, and many residents are still a long way from getting back to normal.
The tornado on the night of June 20, 2021 leveled one home and damaged more than 200 others in an area just south of 75th Street. Additionally, an unborn baby died in Woodridge and at least 11 people were wounded. Many homes still remain empty.
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In Naperville, many people are not only still dealing with the physical aspect of rebuilding or repairing their homes, but they’re also dealing with the psychological trauma. According to the Daily Herald, due to problems with contractors and other issues, Marie Whirledge and her 20-year-old daughter just recently were able to get work started to rehab her home on Nutmeg Lane. Whirledge also said she and her daughter have experienced a sort of post-traumatic stress disorder from the tornado.
Meanwhile, Katie Piper said she still has nightmares and flashbacks.
"I'm not bouncing back as well as others," Piper said. "You just live in a new normal. You keep moving forward.
"I could say 'why me' for the rest of my life, but I try not to, because it sends me into a spiral."
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Leandro Saez told the Daily Herald that after all the hassles of dealing with insurance companies and adjusters, his family hopes to be back in its home sometime in the spring. The Saez family has been living in a rented house.
Naperville will be hosting a needs assessment open house for residents Monday night from 6 to 8 p.m. at Ranch View Elementary School, to gauge how far they need to go to be made whole.
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