Streator City Council Approves Emergency Declaration as Tornado Recovery Efforts Continue

Streator city leaders have unanimously approved an emergency declaration as the community works to recover from an EF-3 tornado that tore through parts of the city. The move is intended to help secure funding for cleanup and rebuilding efforts after the storm left a trail of destruction.

The Streator City Council met for the first time since the tornado, which damaged or destroyed dozens of homes. In the hardest-hit neighborhoods, utility crews are still working to restore power and other services.

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During Wednesday’s meeting, Streator City Manager Yates McLaughlin said 39 homes remain without service, while 10 have already had service restored. He noted that reconnecting utilities will be especially difficult for properties that suffered the most extensive damage.

City officials said debris removal has moved quickly, with roughly 80% of it already cleared ahead of expected severe weather. Volunteers are expected to finish removing much of the remaining debris this weekend. Leaders said the damage is concentrated in two main sections of the city, with the worst destruction reported along Sunbury Drive.

The tornado injured seven people and damaged 44 structures, according to city officials. Nearly half of the homes that have been assessed were categorized as having moderate or major damage, or were completely destroyed.

McLaughlin also credited emergency crews and first responders for their swift action in the storm’s aftermath, saying their response helped prevent additional harm as recovery efforts got underway.

“Without the initial response that we had, it could have obviously been a lot worse,” McLaughlin said. “But we’re grateful for the community outpour and just making sure that everything was coordinated as best as possible.”

The emergency declaration enables access to additional funding to support recovery efforts. Leaders say the Streator Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund, administered through the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation, has raised more than $9,000 so far.

A multi-agency resource center is scheduled to open Thursday at Northlawn Junior High School. Several state agencies, including the Secretary of State’s office, will be on hand to assist residents affected by the storm. The center will be open from 1 to 8 p.m.