Kankakee, Illinois — Search and rescue teams are continuing storm damage sweeps across Kankakee County to ensure all residents are accounted for.
According to the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office, officials announced Friday that additional search and rescue operations are ongoing in areas heavily impacted by recent severe storms. Authorities said there are no confirmed missing persons at this time, but crews are continuing precautionary searches to verify that everyone in affected neighborhoods has been located.
Strike teams are using a three-tiered search strategy, partnering with neighboring counties and regional emergency resources. The approach includes specialized K9 search dogs, unmanned aerial systems (drones), and ground-based search and rescue teams working through damaged areas.
Officials said high winds have complicated early search efforts, particularly for K9 units and drone operators. Wind conditions can disrupt scent tracking for dogs and limit aerial search capabilities, according to the sheriff’s office.
When conditions allow, teams are focusing on high-impact locations, including homes with structural damage, missing rooftops, or trees that fell onto houses. Responders are also cross-checking databases and speaking with residents, family members, and neighbors to confirm the safety of people who may have been displaced during the storms.
Sheriff Mike Downey praised the responders involved in the effort.
“I want to ensure the community-at-large that the dedicated men and women involved in this incident are some of the most dedicated and professional people I have ever met,” Downey said. “Our first responders live and reside here and have also been impacted as almost all of them have friends and family who live in the damaged areas themselves.”
Downey said search teams will remain in the affected areas until every resident is fully accounted for.
The ongoing operations may affect local traffic and access in storm-damaged neighborhoods as crews continue inspections and searches.
For students, commuters, and nearby residents, officials urge awareness as emergency vehicles and response teams remain active throughout the county.
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