A twister landing has been reported in Lena, Illinois, about 48 miles west of Rockford, a part of a large storm system that’s barreling towards Chicago Friday afternoon.
A twister warning was issued for Lena at 4:45 p.m. CT, the Nationwide Climate Service stated. Video from a livestream in Lena exhibits the large, rotating storm descending in town.
There may be intensive harm within the storm’s wake, based on public officers. The Stephenson County Sheriff’s Workplace posted on social media, asking folks to keep away from going to Lena in any respect.
“There is no such thing as a technique to get into city attributable to timber and wires down,” the publish stated. “Emergency Companies are helping folks per Sheriff Stovall.”
The sheriff’s workplace stated no deaths or critical accidents have been reported from the twister.
“We’re extraordinarily lucky that this storm didn’t end in lack of life or critical harm,” Sheriff Steve Stovall stated in an announcement. “Our focus stays on making certain the security of our residents, securing the affected areas, and supporting the Village of Lena as restoration efforts transfer ahead.”
The Village of Lena Police Division issued an pressing public security alert on their Fb web page, writing partially, “One other storm is shifting towards our space. We’re already coping with harm from the sooner twister, and circumstances might worsen shortly. Take shelter now.”
“Don’t exit to have a look at harm,” the publish warns. “Keep off the roads. Our crews are out working, and we want the roads clear to allow them to do their jobs safely. If you happen to’re ready, verify on neighbors—however provided that you are able to do it safely.”
Gov. JB Pritzker stated in a publish on his social media accounts that the Illinois Emergency Administration Company has responded to Lena and is coordinating with native officers to supply the state’s full assist.
“Please observe any native steering and keep protected,” Pritzker wrote.
Pictures from the city present large timber snapped by excessive winds and toppled over, blocking roads.
At 6:20 p.m., the Stephenson County Sheriff’s Workplace posted to social media that Lena is “Shut down” as they brace for a second spherical of storms.
“There will likely be NO visitors in or out of city per Sheriff Stovall till additional discover. Emergency Companies are helping with storm harm,” the publish reads.
The storm toppled timber, knocked down energy strains, and left the bottom affected by particles.
“We simply had a funnel cloud come via from the … it appeared prefer it got here via from the southwest of us and was pouring via, however you possibly can see it type,” stated one Lena resident, named Wealthy.
Individuals took cowl as twister sirens sounded and energy was misplaced.
“The electrical energy went out, and I took the canine and went down within the basement within the bathe, and I heard a giant previous crash, and I assumed, ‘Oh, nicely, there goes the roof!’ but it surely wasn’t,” stated one other Lena resident named Marcia.
As an alternative, what she heard was a big tree falling in her yard.
As dusk got here, folks all through the village continued to wash up particles and restore broken roofs. Crews stated the tight-knit group did not hesitate to assist nonetheless they may.
“We despatched out the calvary, acquired out right here, and the group began kicking in, began bringing in dumpsters, began cleansing as much as get folks via and ensure all people’s protected. So, that is what we like doing,” Kenneth Quinn stated.
Faculties with college students inside could have been broken; no accidents reported
Radio visitors from public security officers in Stephenson County stated the Nationwide Climate Service contacted them about a big and “extraordinarily harmful” twister simply west of Lena. In accordance with the radio visitors, there have been stories that a part of the roof got here off Lena Excessive Faculty and likewise harm on the elementary college. Each faculties had college students in them on the time the storm hit, based on the radio visitors.
No accidents had been reported, and the scholars had been stored protected inside because the storm handed over, however the radio dialog discusses “pretty intensive harm” to the exteriors.
Faculty officers and Lena officers haven’t but launched any official particulars concerning the extent of the storm harm.
Lena is about 120 miles west of Chicago.
