Storm damage cleanup continues after 5 tornadoes touch down across Chicago suburbs
Several weddings canceled in Crete amid storm damage
CRETE, Ill. (WLS) -- Throughout the Chicago area, neighbors were helping neighbors as the severe storm recovery effort continued Wednesday.
The National Weather Service confirmed five tornadoes touched down from storms Monday. There have been dozens of confirmed tornadoes so far this year.
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The NWS said there was an
-EF1 tornado that impacted Country Club Hills, Hazel Crest, Harvey, and Homewood
-EF1 tornado in Lansing
-EF0 tornado in Glen Ellyn
-EF0 tornado in Orland Park
-EF0 tornado in Wheaton
The Wheaton tornado started just south of Wheaton College. It was on the ground for two minutes or less, with a peak width of 100 yards and winds of 75 mph, the NWS said Wednesday.
ComEd officials said they should have about 80 percent of power restored Wednesday, but many will likely be waiting until Friday.
Parts of Crete remained without power Wednesday as residents and business owners continued recovering from Monday's severe storms that damaged property, canceled events and disrupted daily life across the community.
The effects of the storm remained visible outside the Willard Wood Park Center, where two massive trees crashed onto the building.
Crete Park District officials said children attending a summer camp sheltered in the basement before being evacuated from the building. No one was injured.
The park center remains closed as crews assess the damage and continue cleanup efforts.
"Until we can assess the damage and figure out what the next step is, you know, the building's going to be closed," Andy Biesterfeld of the Crete Park District told ABC7. "Everybody, even the office staff, is out helping us cut trees and remove all the debris. I mean, we got a lot of work to do."
The outages and damage have forced cancellations across the community. Three weddings scheduled for this weekend at the park center were canceled.
Residents are also dealing with the effects of prolonged power outages.
"Me and my son were in the basement when we heard all of this happening," Crete resident Jody Gromnicki told ABC7. "That tree got hit by lightning. So yeah, it was a lot. We were scared."
Trees knocked down power lines behind Gromnicki's home, bringing down a transformer and forcing her family to temporarily stay with relatives in Schererville.
Two days after the storms, cleanup efforts were continuing across the community as some residents waited for electricity to be restored.
As the outage dragged on, some business owners said they were worried about security.
"It's kind of scary. I mean, we have no security at all on any of our buildings, and it's something that all of the businesses have concern about," said Judy Petrungaro, president of the Crete Area Chamber of Commerce.
Business owners who did not want to appear on camera told ABC 7 they had been sleeping at their businesses because they were worried they could become targets for theft while the power remained out.
The outage has also taken a financial toll on local businesses.
Petrungaro said the lack of power forced the cancellation of her annual Vintage Oak parking lot party after ice cream ordered for the event spoiled.
"It's going to take us at least a week to get restocked, and it will impact us because once the power comes back on, we cannot just open up again because we have to reorder everything. Everything was spoiled," Petrungaro said.
Despite the challenges, signs of recovery were emerging across Crete.
Staff at Fitness Premier Crete spent part of Wednesday going door-to-door helping neighbors with cleanup efforts.
"We're trying to be a helping hand right now. So we're picking up debris, picking up trees, asking our members if they need help," said Ebenezer Gideon of Fitness Premier Crete.
At Roxann Sports Bar, a generator provided residents with a place to gather, charge their phones and connect with neighbors while the outage continued.
"I feel like Crete is already good at that. So when something like this happens, they don't fall short of showing up for each other," assistant bar manager Heather Bohlen said.
Even as parts of the community remained without power, residents and business owners said they continue to support one another as recovery efforts move forward.
"They have power. But yeah, with three dogs and three of us, it's a lot for a townhouse," Grominicki said.
One silver lining is even with damaged homes, cars and no power, some are finding healthy things to do, like pickleball, only emphasizing the neighborly support in the community.
"I mean, this town has always rallied around each other to get things done," Biesterfeld said.
Residents in Chicago Heights and Homewood continued cleaning up widespread storm damage Wednesday.
Across the south suburbs, debris remained scattered on homes and properties as crews and homeowners worked to clear fallen trees. In Chicago Heights, large uprooted trees blocked streets and driveways, creating challenges for residents trying to access their homes.
Among those affected is Darlene Jimenez, whose vehicle was destroyed after the storms.
"I was like, 'no, I cannot believe this; I just got this car,'" Chicago Heights resident Jimenez said.
Jimenez purchased the vehicle three months ago. Despite the loss, her family said they were grateful the worst of the damage did not impact their home.
Along Normandy Drive in Chicago Heights, several residents have had to navigate around fallen trees to enter and leave their properties.
"There have been storms but not like this one. I was like, 'OK, it's probably one of them regular ones.' But I got home from work, and I'm like, 'woah, this is a disaster.' I couldn't believe it," Chicago Heights resident Roberto Urquizo said.
In nearby Homewood, residents faced similar conditions. The National Weather Service confirmed that a tornado moved through the village Monday with winds of up to 110 mph.
On Pierce Avenue, an elderly couple found themselves largely trapped at home after large trees fell across the front of their property, narrowly missing their living room.
"It just scared us half to death," Homewood resident Margaret Darty said.
Darty said the fallen trees also blocked access to their garage.
"It's hard for us even one way out; we couldn't even get out of the garage. We have good neighbors here and they came and cut the tree down to get the car out of the garage," she said.
Many residents in Homewood remained without power, relying on generators as cleanup efforts continued. Neighbors throughout the community have been helping one another remove debris and recover from the storm.
"We have a great community here in Homewood and when we need help you always have someone to help you," Homewood resident Alex Perez said.
The National Weather Service continues surveying storm damage in Chicago Heights. Officials have not yet confirmed whether additional tornadoes touched down there, but damage assessments remain ongoing.
