Storm's 'Massive' Effects In Darien

DARIEN, IL — Darien officials said Sunday night's storm damaged the structure of about 10 homes and uprooted 100 to 200 trees.

"The effects of the tornado were rather massive," Municipal Services Director Dan Gombac told the City Council on Monday night. "On Lemont Road, there were telephone poles that were basically twisted and strewn over the roadway, like they were straws."

See video and photos of the damage from Sunday night's storm.

He spoke about a house on Woodmere Drive where winds opened up exterior walls like it was a dollhouse, with clothes hanging in a closet exposed to the elements. One piece of a house was found two blocks away, he said.

The city is assessing all the damaged structures, so it can figure out which ones to condemn, Gombac said.

As for trees, most of the damage was in the Pinehurst, Bailey Park, Sawmill Creek and Woodmere areas. Answering the city's call for help were public works crews from DuPage County, Westmont, Warrenville, Roselle, Carol Stream and Lisle, he said.

"We woke up Homer Tree Services last night to make sure we were the first kids on the block to have his crews come out," Gombac said.

Mayor Joseph Marchese praised the work of the city's public works crews, saying the city received many compliments on the workers' performance. The crews worked day and night to clear streets of debris.

"The community was out cleaning their properties and assisting their neighbors. That was a wonderful thing to see," Marchese said.

The mayor said he received calls of support from Gov. J.B. Pritzker, U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, and U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Naperville, among other officials.

Alderwoman Mary Sullivan said many residents sung the praises of the public works crews.

"I'm sure our municipal services team did what they always do," she said. "They jumped into action without being asked. Once again, I'm proud to a Darien representative."

Coincidentally, the City Council was planning to vote on a tree program at a cost of $41,000 on Monday night. Aldermen added $40,000 to that amount to plant 100 more trees as a result of the storm damage.