A body was discovered Thursday in the rubble of a home destroyed by the EF3 tornado that struck Aroma Park March 10, officials said.
Kankakee County Board Chairman Matthew Alexander-Hildebrand initially reported there were remarkably no deaths, no missing, and only nine residents with non-life-threatening injuries at the time of a morning press conference on March 11.
However, sheriff’s deputies responded to a call for a possible deceased individual on the afternoon of March 12 in the rubble of a home.
Upon arrival, Kankakee County Coroner Robert Gessner pronounced 65-year-old Maurice R. Naurington deceased. Naurington died as a result of fatal injuries suffered during the storm, preliminary reports indicate.
He was the first known victim in Illinois of the storm that produced four tornados as it made its journey from Pontiac to Knox, Ind. At least two people were killed when one of the tornadoes devastated Lake Village in Newton County in northwest Indiana.
An updated statement from Downey said Kankakee County has no known missing people, though “search and rescue efforts will continue in the area damaged by storms,” and that “additional efforts are underway to ensure each and everyone is completely accounted for.”
Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey said the storm was spotted just after 6 p.m. on March 10, when trained weather spotters and deputies first “observed rotation in the clouds around 5000W and 6000S roads, just northwest of Chebanse.” They reported that it traveled northeast along Interstate 57 before forming the tornado that touched down near the Kankakee County fairgrounds.
The twister was so powerful that it continued south toward Kankakee Community College, crossing the Kankakee River, before traveling into Aroma Park, where Downey said it “undoubtedly did the most severe damage.”
Softball-sized hail came down in the surrounding areas adjacent to the tornado, causing further damage to those who weren’t directly in the tornado’s path.
Kankakee Mayor Chris Curtis credited media coverage and storm-tracking for providing early warnings and alerts. He said the fact the storm approached during daylight hours helped save lives.
“People were prepared. It could’ve been much worse,” Curtis said.
“The damage we have seen across the county is significant,” Alexander-Hildebrand said.
Several homes were completely leveled, with others sustaining so much damage they were rendered uninhabitable.
Downey reported the public safety building and Jerome Combs Detention Center in Kankakee both sustained minor damage.
Curtis said Kankakee was fortunate most of the heavy damage was confined to its industrial and commercial areas, sparing residential areas. The most devastating residential damage occurred in the northwest part of Aroma Park, which was directly in the tornado’s path.
“We’re still evaluating the area and how long it will take to do cleanup,” Curtis said, noting many roads were closed due to sheared off ComEd power lines and other debris. He said the city’s large public works crew brought out heavy equipment to assist with ongoing cleanup efforts in both the city and unincorporated areas.
Though ComEd crews were staged in advance and ready to help, the storm brought down multiple poles and lines. A spokesman reported that just over 27,000 customers lost power in total. In Kankakee County, more than 8,000 customers lost power.
Downey reported multiple agencies responded to the disaster, including those from Iroquois and Will counties, to assist with search-and-rescue efforts.
He credited an incredible response from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Illinois State Police, ILEAS (Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System), MABAS 7, Nicor, ComEd, ICAN, the National Weather Service, and Will County EMA, both St. Mary’s and Riverside Hospitals, and many others.
Because of the severe damage, a temporary shelter has been set up at Kankakee Community College, 100 College Drive, Kankakee, for those impacted by the storm and tornado.
The American Red Cross is assisting with the efforts held at the college and is offering a safe place to stay, meals, charging stations, access to information and other community resources. Pets in kennels are welcome at the shelter.
“I’m amazed at how the community came together in such a short time,” Downey said.
Kankakee County filed a disaster declaration with the state immediately after seeing the destruction.
“This step is critical for us to access additional resources,” Alexander-Hildebrand said.
Alexander-Hildebrand pledged support and resources to affected residents, and in the aftermath, Gov. JB Pritzker acknowledged, in a post online, he had been briefed on the storm and tornado damage.
“My administration, including IEMA, are in contact with local officials to offer our full support. Keeping in our thoughts all Illinoisans impacted by the severe weather — we’ll be here to help them recover,” Pritzker said.
Pritzker visited Aroma Park and Kankakee on March 12 to assess the damage and stated at least 50 homes had been completely destroyed, with as many as 500 structures damaged.
Pritzker said assessments, which are ongoing, will determine how much state aid and federal aid may be available. IEMA was on site, working to complete the assessment.
Aroma Park Mayor Brian Stump, as well as state Rep. Jackie Haas, have visited the site each day since the tornado to receive briefings and provide assistance. State Sen. Patrick Joyce also sent a representative from his office to visit the site.
Kankakee County School District 111 announced its schools would be closed through March 13. At the time of publication, no announcements had been made regarding potential ongoing closures.
In the wake of the storms, individuals flooded social media looking for ways to help. The community came together, offering several sites to collect and distribute resources, such as bottled water, garbage bags, and other essentials.
Grace Baptist Church, 2499 Waldron Road in Aroma Park, was set up to offer charging stations and supplies to those in need. They are accepting and distributing donations of bottled water, garbage bags, buckets, gloves, and other cleanup supplies.
Additionally, Georgie’s Closet, 238 N. Bradley Road in Bradley and in Aroma Park, the Fun Hub Bar, 501 N. Lowe Road, are offering the same, plus pet food. Please see their Facebook pages for updates.