Pontiac tornado winds hit 125 MPH; Rauner to tour damage

Posted on June 24, 2016
Pontiac tornado damage
Several businesses were damaged in a tornado that struck Pontiac on Wednesday night. (Photo courtesy WJEZ)

By Eric Stock

PONTIAC – Gov. Bruce Rauner is scheduled to visit Pontiac on Friday morning to tour the damage caused by a tornado on Wednesday night.

At least four homes and several businesses were damaged and seven people were injured in the twister. The National Weather Service says the tornado was an EF-2 that cut a path 11 miles long and was the length of four football fields wide. It had estimated top wind speeds of up to 125 miles per hour. The weather service has confirmed at least six tornadoes touched down in northern Illinois on Wednesday night.

The governor issued a statement on Thursday, “We are fortunate things are not worse and are thankful there were no fatalities.”

Red Cross help

The American Red Cross Central and Southern Region is helping residents affected by the storms and tornadoes that swept through parts of Illinois on Wednesday. The Red Cross says if you or someone you know needs help, call (844) 319-6560 and press “1” for disaster assistance.

Following a disaster, the Red Cross provides assistance with food, shelter, emergency relief supplies, emotional support and health services to people in need.

The Red Cross urges everyone to prepare now to be ready for when severe weather strikes. For more information on how to keep your family safe in an emergency, visit www.redcross.org/prepare.

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