Hundreds Of Volunteers Swarm To Coal City To Assist In Recovery Effort
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A powerful tornado ripped through southwest suburban Coal City on Monday, leaving massive path of destruction in its path. Residents have been picking up the pieces ever since, and on Friday they were getting much needed help.
Volunteers traveled to Coal City from across the state, to lend a hand in the massive clean-up effort.
The EF-3 tornado damaged or destroyed about 1,400 structures in Coal City, spreading debris across a wide area.
Organizers call said they expect to escort as many as 2,000 "spontaneous volunteers" into the disaster sites to help clean up.
The volunteers began arriving at 6:30 a.m., gathering in neighboring Diamond, Illinois. They were then bused to the impacted areas with a mission: to collect and sort through the debris scattered far and wide by the tornado's 160 mph winds. The remnants include broken glass, shingles, tree branches, twisted metal, and destroyed household items.
"It's important to give back. We weren't hit the way the residents around here were. I live up in Lemont, Illinois, and any kind of twist of wind could have brought the storms to us," said volunteer Michelle Nevin.
Volunteers were told to wear boots or closed toed shoes, work gloves, and long pants for protection. Without this type of aid, the long road to cleaning up Coal City would be even longer.
Will County Emergency Management Agency deputy director Brenda Lutz said local officials wanted to make sure downed power lines were repaired, any gas leaks were secured, and the area hit by the tornado was safe for volunteers to come in before allowing anyone but residents and contractors into the affected area.
"ComEd, Nicor, construction companies have been very busy in the area, and this is the first day that is safe," she said.
Volunteers came together in a similar way following the tornado that also ripped through Coal City and Diamond in 2013.
"When a town is in need, a small town is in need, a big town is in need, you go in; you help, because that's what you're supposed to do, because you're part of a community," said Elizabeth Hatfield, of Pontiac.
Another day of "spontaneous volunteering" has been scheduled for Saturday. You can learn more at The Coal City Police Department Facebook page.
