Neighbors pitch in to help after storm
HUNTLEY — As soon as the all-clear siren could be heard, neighbors leaped into action to assist properties impacted near and at Douglas Avenue and Timber Road West in Huntley following a July 12 severe weather incident. The next day, clean-up continued after the severe weather event, yet to be classified by the National Weather Service.
“It was over real quick, in about five minutes,” resident Bridgette McGraw said. She just moved into her Douglas Avenue multi-family building at 11400 block of Douglas Avenue a couple of weeks ago, “I live on the first floor, so I was OK. A storm window blew out but I have a double pane window in back of it. I saw it spinning around. One person was in their car and tried to get out of it.”
“I saw sheets of debris flying in the air. It was like something out of “Wizard of Oz,” Joe Szuberla said. “I was making dinner when the alert went on and 30 seconds later, it was over. ”
“It could have been so much worse. My son is a storm chaser and he asked me to get photos,” said Marion Kroll, who was one of the neighborhood helpers.
“It was very bad for a short period of time,” resident Alyce Donoho said. A garden in the back yard suffered damage.
Brandi Pond went to the multi-unit building that appeared to have the most damage.
“I went banging on doors and asking if there was anyone inside,” Pond said. “One man came out of the place where he was seeking shelter and said he was OK. The entire roof went to the stairwell. Then the Huntley Fire Protection District arrived.”
According to a HFPD and the Village of Huntley’s release statements, authorities were notified of the severe storm event at 6:10 p.m. July 12. Two buildings’ roofs were heavily damaged. Firefighters first searched for residents to make sure all were safe and accounted for. The Huntley Police Department arrived and assisted in helping
residents take out personal items. The American Red Cross was contacted to determine if anyone needed shelter. The Village of Huntley Building Department determined the two buildings were unsafe to occupy. There were no injuries and damage costs have yet to be established.
The Village of Huntley reported about 500 customers were without power following the storm event. All power was restored by 8 a.m. the next day. Huntley Area Public Library had a late start in the afternoon.
“Between 5 and 7 p.m. July 12, multiple tornadoes were tracked across parts of northeastern Illinois,” according to a NWS statement. “Some were in very close proximity to each other. These were spawned by rotating thunderstorms known as super cells. We do not have an estimate on the total number of tornadoes. We will determine the official count along with intensity ratings following surveys over the coming days.”
Beware of scammers
“Residents who suffered property damage are encouraged to beware of scams and individuals looking to take advantage of those in the impacted areas,” according to the village press release statement. “Residents should contact their insurance company directly and be cautious about giving information or business to companies that call or stop by their property unsolicited. The Village has not permitted companies to solicit in the impacted area soliciting home improvement, clean-up, or other services.”
