'Spirit Of Woodridge Alive And Strong' After E-F3 Tornado

WOODRIDGE, IL — At a press conference Tuesday, Woodridge officials thanked the community's many volunteers and vowed to exhaust all resources to aid residents in the wake of Sunday's E-F3 tornado.

“[We] are going to pursue every avenue of support" to ensure that villagers "are made whole," said Illinois State Senator John Curran.

Curran said loss assessment crews have been going door to door to check in with residents. Those whose homes were damaged, but have not been visited should call the village of Woodridge or their local municipality to report damage.

Woodridge Mayor Gina Cunningham said the village is still in the damage assessment phase, but plans to ask for assistance from the state once numbers have been solidified.

Representatives from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) were onsite in Woodridge and surrounding areas Tuesday and have been working closely with area public works departments, officials said.

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Cunningham said Red Cross workers are continuing to provide equipment and support to volunteers who have been working around the clock to clean up fallen limbs, trash and other debris from the tornado, which reached wind speeds of 140 mph.

More than 100 Woodridge homes were "significantly impacted" by the storm, Cunningham said. She added that at least one local business sustained damaged after its sprinkler system activated.

Cunningham expressed gratitude to residents for helping one another in this time of need. “We cannot thank our residents enough...our neighbors throughout Woodridge," she said.

Curran also praised residents for their "remarkable" support.

He said, “The spirit of Woodridge is alive and strong and is rising to this challenge."

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