Tornado cleanup continues in Kankakee, IL

For Mr. and Mrs. G of Kankakee, IL, the damage started on their block — but the real destruction of homes and a church was just down the street.

The powerful EF-3 tornado that tore through Illinois and into Indiana on March 10 had left their home among the 500 in Kanakee County that were damaged or destroyed. From their basement, they could hear the 150 mph winds slamming limbs against the house, and when it was all over, the tree damage was astounding. How would they ever clean this all up?  

But this week, some “angels in orange” were in their yard with the 64-foot Nifty Lift and rigging to remove dangerous trunk splits, hanging limbs, and leaning trees. “[They] were sent by God to restore hope to us and our community.”

LCC Disaster Response and Luthern Early Response Team volunteers continued a second week of tree cutting, debris removal, and cleanup work in Kankakee, Aroma Park, and St. Anne out of home base St. Paul Lutheran Church in Kankakee.

Since March 12, about 70 LERT helpers from 25 LCMS churches in the Northern Illinois district have completed 547 volunteer hours at 29 homes and the church building.

With national storm relief groups leaving at the end of the week, LCC is making plans to stay.

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Invited by Pastor Roger Drinnon of St. Paul Kankakee, LCC Disaster Response anticipates more requests for assistance and stands ready to respond. 

LCC volunteers have been helping church members and community residents take the first steps of the long road to recovery. In hard-hit neighborhoods like Aroma Park, teams are not just cutting limbs and clearing debris — they’re salvaging belongings, listening to survivors’ stories, offering prayer, and bringing comfort in moments of deep loss.

The National Weather Service calculates that the Illinois/Indiana tornado was a half-mile wide at its strongest and cut a swath on the ground for about 37 miles. It touched back down again in Indiana for another 22 miles. The storm resulted in three deaths and scores of injuries.

One St. Paul family had a downed oak tree in their front yard so large that LCC volunteers had to use the 36-inch saw to cut the trunk into slices that could be safely moved the street for pickup. Other homeowners had tree damage and no resources to clear them on their own. LERT volunteers stepped in.

“Each family expressed their thanks for the gracious assistance and caring shown to them,” said Kathy O’Day, director of LCC Disaster Response. “We were thankful for the beautiful weather — finally!”

At the mayor’s house in Aroma Park, IL, it was another two-day job. The mayor himself helped the team drag limbs and sort through debris, thankful for all the work done to make his yard safe again for his family and friends.

“He told us that he knew the lives of this tight-knit community would be changed forever and the destruction was difficult to see, knowing that so many people are displaced,” O’Day said.

BEFORE

AFTER

Over the weekend, large properties in Kankakee and Aroma Park also were two-day sites due to the number of trees downed and damaged. One homeowner told the team she couldn’t believe the progress they made — but she was particularly touched by the joy they showed in serving.

LCC Disaster Response will continue cleanup work next week — and continue to walk alongside families. K-9 Comfort Dog teams will bring calm, connection, and moments of peace.

Join LCC in praying for these families and communities as the long process of recovery continues. The storm has passed, but the need remains.

HELP LCC BE THERE - Tornado Recovery Fund