More storms. More rain. More anguish. And now a tornado.
Will County residents have just about had enough.
Recent weeks of turbulent weather are testing their patience and resolve, and tempers are running a bit short.
Thousands of residents in Crete, Monee, Peotone, Beecher, Frankfort and Mokena still were without electricity late last week after a tornado ripped through Monee on August 11 enroute to St. John in Indiana, and another twister was confirmed in Mokena. In some areas, uprooted trees were so badly tangled in power lines they complicated efforts for crews to make repairs.
Police, Fire, Public Works crews and EMA volunteers continued to actively respond to calls related to the storms. Neighbors offered each other phone chargers, generators, chainsaws, and manpower to clear storm debris.
Board meetings were cancelled, cooling centers were opened, and Crete-Monee’s school year starts were postponed.
Peotone’s Stoub family farm’s popular corn crop was damaged, but they still had some for sale, with promises that they would soon have more fresh, homegrown produce available.
August 11 court hearings were cancelled, as well. (Notice of new, scheduled court dates will be sent via U.S.mail.)
The area got soaked again Thursday night, August 13, and most annoying of all, it looks like more storms were on the way.
The tornado that raked through Monee into St. John and western Crown Point, Indiana, originally ranked an EF-1, has been officially upgraded to EF-2, with estimated peak winds of 115 mph.
According to the National Weather Service, the tornado touched down at approximately 10:43 a.m. Tuesday near Monee and remained on the ground for roughly 19 minutes, traveling an impressive 25.75 miles before ending around 11:02 a.m. approximately 2 miles west-northwest of Crown Point.
The tornado reached a maximum width of approximately 300 yards — about three football fields wide. With peak winds associated with the tornado reaching 115 mph. No injuries or fatalities have been reported with this tornado.
The NWS track shows the tornado crossing the state line and continuing almost directly east through the St. John area, generally between 91st and 109th avenues, before continuing toward western Crown Point.
This tornado occurred along the same powerful derecho that produced widespread destructive straight-line winds across Northwest Indiana, making it difficult in some locations to distinguish tornado damage from the extensive surrounding wind damage. The speeds of the derecho reached around 100 mph, which proved to be even more destructive than the tornado across the region.
The NWS says the information remains preliminary as damage surveys continue.
With so many portable generators in use, Crete Township Fire Protection District had some safety tips.
CTFPD officials said they had responded to several incidents involving generators and carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide referred to as the “silent killer” is colorless, odorless, and can prove fatal. If using a portable generator, please remember these basic safety guidelines:
- Keep generators OUTSIDE and at least 20 feet away from your home, doors, windows, and vents.
- NEVER operate a generator inside a home, garage, or other enclosed space, even with the garage door open.
- Point generator exhaust away from your home. Carbon monoxide (CO) is odorless, poisonous, and can be deadly.
- Make sure your home has working carbon monoxide alarms.
- Plug appliances directly into the generator or use properly rated outdoor extension cords.
- Never refuel a hot or running generator. Turn it off and allow it to cool first.
- Always treat downed power lines as LIVE. Stay clear and keep others away.
The Village of Monee posted information for those who still need help with tree cleanup.
Tree cleanup assistance is also available through Christian Aid Ministries Rapid Response Services, Illinois Baptists, and IDES (International Disaster Emergency Service). These volunteer chainsaw crews currently plan to remain available in the area through September.
Residents needing assistance with fallen trees should:
- Call 2-1-1 and request tree cleanup assistance.
- Complete the Will County Storm Damage Survey at www.willcountyema.org/storm and include their name, address, email address, and phone number.
- Watch for a text message from 2-1-1 containing a waiver. The waiver must be signed before assistance can be provided.
- A volunteer cleanup administrator will follow up directly with residents requesting assistance.
- Assistance is based on volunteer availability and the type of work needed.