At 10:45 pm, Sunday, June 20, a confirmed EF-3 tornado and catastrophic storms raged through Northern Illinois, causing extensive damage in the hardest-hit areas of Woodridge, Naperville, and Darien, as well as Burr Ridge and Downers Grove. Straight-line winds of at least 70mph tore through other communities. Buildings have collapsed, homes heavily damaged or leveled, multiple power lines down, large trees uprooted, and dangerous debris scattered. Major destruction has left many roads and neighborhoods impassible. At least 250 homes were damaged, 26 are reported as uninhabitable.
 
During the first 48 hours after the tornado, Tim Hetzner, LCC President/CEO, Kathy O’Day, LCC Director of Disaster Response, and LCC Lutheran Early Response Team (L.E.R.T) chainsaw team leaders visited affected first responders and homeowners to assess the damage to their property. Work orders were immediately scheduled for LCC L.E.R.T. volunteers to begin property clean-up starting on Tuesday. Pastor Mark Schultz from Trinity Lutheran Church in Lisle invited LCC to serve out of their church. We are also working with Bethany Lutheran Church in Naperville.

Woodridge Mayor Gina Cunningham and Illinois State Senator John Curran were present to thank LCC Disaster Response and L.E.R.T. chainsaw volunteers for everything we are doing to help their community. They are familiar with our response to disaster and crisis situations and welcomed our presence in assisting the residents in the impacted communities.

The American Red Cross referred a homeowner to Lutheran Church Charities for chainsaw assistance. This family has received much roof and interior damage to their home, about 40 trees down in their front and back yards, loss of power and lines to home, and a damaged vehicle from falling trees. In addition to this devastation, they are facing the possible loss of their young adult child to cancer. We told them to take care of their family and we will take care of their property, whenever they are ready for us. They deeply appreciated the compassion and hope of Jesus Christ we showed to them for their difficult situation.

One of the first homeowners visited is a Lisle-Woodridge firefighter who just returned home from his long shift of responding to his devastated community. His property has many downed trees and hanging tree limbs. An LCC L.E.R.T. team was sent to his property first thing on Tuesday to start the recovery effort.

We prayed with him, his wife, and his daughter to give them hope and reassurance that God is with them during this challenging time.

“Thank you so much for all your and your team's help with our branches!! We so appreciate you and are very thankful!!” – Serene Berkowitz

We also visited the home of a Lisle-Woodridge police officer who is helping to keep his community safe. The tree in his front yard has many dangerous hanging limbs. Work on his property is scheduled for today.

We are honored and blessed to be able to serve these brave first responders. They are grateful for our quick response so that they can continue to help residents in their community.

LCC L.E.R.T. chainsaw teams are helping a neighbor of Pastor Mike Curtis from Trinity – Lisle. The large tree on their property is heavily damaged as well as the tree in their front yard. L.E.R.T. chainsaw teams used their heavy equipment to safely clean up the property and help them in their time of need. Wayne and his wife were presented with a signed slice of the tree taken down and are thankful for our immediate assistance

LCC Disaster Response extends a heartfelt thank you to the volunteers from Trinity – Lisle L.E.R.T who cooked and served food to those present at the worksites and the hard-hit Woodridge neighborhood.

The LCC Disaster Response Ministry never charges those we serve. Please donate to the LCC Disaster Response General Fund or LCC Equipment Maintenance & Fuel Expense Fund so that we may continue to show the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those suffering and in need.

Please keep the families affected by the tornado and storms in your prayers, including all of the LCC Disaster Response volunteers and staff as we deploy to the hardest-hit areas of Northern Illinois to help during the long recovery process.
 
Your prayers, support, and involvement help Make A Difference – in the name of Jesus to those in need.

During this fire devastation, the teams also attended to the Law Enforcement Officer community after the Line-Of-Duty death of Sutter County Sheriff’s K-9 Deputy Bandit. Deputy Bandit and his Handler Sgt. John Perez were working mutual aid with Butte County in wake of the Camp Fire. 

Please continue to keep all of these families in your prayers as they seek to restore their lives. In addition, please pray for the first responders and volunteers who continue to battle the wildfires and search for those who are missing.