By Dave Dahl

TAYLORVILLE– There was time for an early morning service, then it was time to work for Rev. Steve Switzer and members Taylorville’s Calvary Baptist Church, helping others clean up from Saturday’s tornado.

What’s God’s message here? “I believe He’s here and he’s telling us He wants to help us,” Switzer told WJBC News. “I think that’s what a storm always tells us: that He’s nearby.”

Gov. Rauner, surveying the damage Sunday afternoon, urged everybody affected to track their expenses. “We’ll see whether the level of devastation rises to a level where any federal assistance is possible. We don’t know at this point. We don’t know whether the same will be done for the state.”

U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville) said the story is personal for him: “There are my friends. These are my neighbors. These are the people I grew up with and still live with. To see my community and friends help each other; that’s what makes small-town America great. That’s what makes Taylorville great.”

A curfew went into effect at 9 p.m. Sunday. Taylorville schools are closed Monday.