CHICAGO, IL – Severe storms and tornadoes have caused widespread damage in several counties in Illinois, leading Governor JB Pritzker to issue a disaster proclamation on March 31, 2023.
The counties of Boone, Crawford, DuPage, Marion, and Sangamon have been declared disaster areas.
The storm front, which started in the afternoon and continued through the evening, brought numerous tornadoes, heavy rains, and damaging straight-line winds up to 90 mph. Boone County was hit particularly hard, with severe storms causing a partial roof and floor collapse at a concert at the Apollo Theatre in Belvidere. Sadly, one person lost their life, and approximately 40 others sustained injuries, including 15 critical injuries. In Crawford County, a tornado caused the collapse of three homes, resulting in the death of three individuals.
Boone County suffered significant additional damage, with around 30 structures known to have been damaged. Crawford County also experienced multiple home collapses and the total loss of Robinson Airport, with extensive damage to all buildings. Sangamon County also reported several tornadoes touching down, resulting in severe damage to structures in Sherman and Riverton and debris damage in and around Dawson.
In addition to the tragic incidents and extensive damage in Boone, Crawford, and Sangamon Counties, numerous residences and other structures were damaged, vehicle accidents occurred, and debris accumulated, leading to power outages, downed trees and power lines, and road closures across the State, including in DuPage and Marion Counties.
The disaster proclamation will enable the State of Illinois to provide residents with the full scale of support needed for recovery.
