Damage is being assessed and clean-up is underway in Kankakee County, where a tornado caused significant damage and caused injuries last night but no loss of life.
It was one of four tornados that hit parts of Illinois and Indiana.
“There are some houses and residences that are levelled,” said Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey, especially in the village of Aroma Park, where some homes that were ripped apart.
“Those obviously will be our first priority to make sure that they have housing, that they have what they need,” he said during a press briefing. “The community has been awesome in their assistance and offering assistance.”
Among homes with varying degrees of damage, large trees were uprooted and snapped.
The Sheriff said, just after the tornado passed, just after 6 p.m., police and fire personnel from numerous agencies started search and rescue efforts.
“We had people going door-to-door, trying to make sure that people were safe.”
They had to contend with downed power lines and streets blocked by debris from homes and trees.
The Mayor of Kankakee, Chris Curtis says advanced warning and the time the tornado came through probably saved lives.
“Several hours before the storm was coming in and tracking it, I think that is what saved a lot of lives,” he said. “People were prepared. They may not have been home because they were still at work and we’re just grateful that we had no loss of lives and it could have been much worse, so we’re thankful.”
County Board Chairman Matthew Alexander-Hildebrand, said injuries were minor.
“The damage we have seen across parts of the county is significant,” he said. “Fortunately, there are no deaths or missing people and only 9 with minor injuries.”
Some of those injured, according to Mayor Curtis, were hit by large hailstones.