STEGER, Ill. () — Across the Chicago area, neighbors are stepping up for one another as storm recovery efforts continued Wednesday.
The National Weather Service confirmed that four tornadoes touched down during Monday’s storms, bringing the year’s confirmed tornado count to 59 so far.
According to the NWS, the storms included an
-EF1 tornado that affected Country Club Hills, Hazel Crest, Harvey and Homewood
-EF1 tornado in Lansing
-EF0 tornado in Glen Ellyn
-EF0 tornado in Orland Park
At Willard Wood Park Center, not one but two large trees came crashing down onto the building. Residents said they may remain without power until Friday.
“Until we can assess the damage and figure out what the next step is, you know, the building’s going to be closed,” Andy Biesterfeld with the Crete Park District said.
The damage forced three weddings scheduled for this weekend at the Crete park center to be canceled. The facility is among many locations that have been without electricity since Monday’s severe weather moved through.
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“Me and my son were in the basement when we heard all of this happening,” Crete resident Jody Gromnicki said. “That tree got hit by lightning. So yeah, it was a lot. We were scared.”
In Gromnicki’s backyard, falling trees brought down power lines, sending a transformer crashing to the ground. With power out at home, her family had to stay at her mother’s house in Sherville.
“They have power, but yeah, with three dogs and three of us, it’s a lot for a townhouse,” Grominicki said.
“Everybody, even the office staff, is out helping us cut trees and remove all the debris,” Biesterfeld said. “I mean, we got a lot of work to do.”
One silver lining is even with damaged homes, cars and no power, some are finding healthy things to do, like pickleball, only emphasizing the neighborly support tin the community.
“I mean, this town has always rallied around each other to get things done,” Biesterfeld said.
ComEd officials said they should have about 80 percent of power restored here by Wednesday but many others will likely be waiting until Friday.
Cook County’s Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security and the city of Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications are reviewing damage.
Those who sustained damage should submit an assessment here.
