Volunteers help Woodridge families repair homes damaged in 2021 tornado
CHICAGO (CBS) — More than a calendar year and a 50 percent after an EF-3 tornado tore a path of destruction via southwest suburban Woodridge, some people are even now working with the affect of the devastating storm.
Cold temperatures and light gusty snow on Wednesday didn’t stop dozens of volunteers and the mayor of Woodridge from serving to four families make repairs to their properties and yards.
Tree branches bolted through Joe Trancredi’s window and impaled his master bedroom when the tornado touched down on the night of June 20, 2021. Now volunteers are aiding him paint his ceiling and distinct out particles in his yard.
“It is good, in particular suitable now, due to the fact I believe issues have been tough for a good deal of folks, whether or not your home’s been hit by a twister or not. Just the past pair of yrs, I believe, have been difficult on a ton of folks,” Tancredi said.
Tancredi’s house was just 1 of additional than 600 in Woodridge that have been ruined by the tornado. That tornado also triggered harm in nearby Naperville and Darien.
Woodridge Mayor Gina Cunningham and her nonprofit, Woodridge Neighbors Encouraging Neighbors, teamed up with Home Depot Basis to support four families who are even now rebuilding from the devastation.
“I think what the households have had to endured is a extended highway of COVID – so the put up-pandemic – insurance policy, contractor worries, and source issues. So it is been a really very long street for the families,” Cunningham stated.
Giving back again prior to the holiday seasons has Dianne O’Donnell, co-chair of Neighbors Serving to Neighbors, psychological.
“It’s a thing that you end up getting again as significantly, if not a lot more, than what you give,” she stated in advance of choking up, and using a second to accumulate herself. “So we are quite joyful and very grateful for most people which is helping.”
Crews have been performing tough in the chilly and snow on Wednesday. Residence Depot mentioned a single pair will be shocked when they come and discover a new pond in memory of their daughter, who died weeks immediately after the twister.
A pair of blocks over, more volunteers helped Marion Bryant help paint her doors.
“I really feel like my property is alive once more. It is really even inspiring me to do this, that, and the other matter way too,” Bryant explained.
In this supplying spirit, Woodridge is placing the common for neighbors serving to neighbors.
Cunningham mentioned much more than two dozen homes continue to simply cannot be occupied in the aftermath of the tornado. She predicted people families will have obtain to their houses future summer season.