After a tornado ripped through Coal City Monday night causing damage to homes, taking down trees and power lines, and destroying other property, State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Peru) spent Tuesday in the community coordinating recovery efforts with state and local leaders. Rezin also toured the damage with Gov. Bruce Rauner and other emergency personnel.
“The devastation is widespread in Coal City, and I feel for this community,” Rezin said. “I am thankful there are no reports of anyone killed. I also want to thank the National Weather Service, our weather spotters, and other emergency personnel who gave advance warning to this community and others around the 38th Senate District. Their actions, and people heeding their warnings, are the reasons we have no loss of life.”
The National Weather Service says at least five tornadoes touched down in the region, in Will, Kankakee, Lee, Grundy, and LaSalle counties.
“We will be working hand-in-hand right now and over the next several months with local leaders and the state to make sure everyone impacted by this storm gets back on their feet,” Rezin said. “One of the biggest reasons why I love our communities is because people will do whatever it takes to help others, and the people are resilient. These acts of selflessness are not only very much appreciated, but they make us stronger. I want to thank everyone who is helping, volunteering, or donating money to storm victims.”
A call hotline has been set up by Coal City officials for residents who were affected and for people that want to volunteer. The number is 815-518-3047. To donate to storm victims, you can visit this website: www.cfgrundycounty.com/donate-online/.
Gov. Rauner issued a news release earlier Tuesday saying that he has directed the deployment of Illinois Task Force 1, an 80-member search and rescue team, to assist local responders as they search for people who may have been trapped after a tornado tore through Woodhaven Lakes campground in Lee County last evening.
The Governor has also issued a state disaster proclamation for Lee and Grundy counties to make available a wide variety of state resources that can help affected communities respond and recover from the storms.