CHICAGO (CBS) — A zoo in Belvidere, Illinois, took a direct hit from one of the two tornadoes that touched down in north central Illinois on Thursday, sending animals scattering, and killing at least two.
The twister took out perimeter fences, sheds, shelters, and a portion of a barn roof at Summerfield Zoo, according to volunteer coordinator Danielle Anderson.
READ MORE: Chicago Weather: Rounding Out The Warmest Weekend Of The Winter“All of our fences where our herd of reindeer were were down. The fences where the emu were hurt and killed, those were all wiped out and down,” she said.” So, yeah, we were catching animals that were loose last night, but all animals are accounted for.”
An emu and a black swan were killed in the storm.
READ MORE: MISSING: Khoshaba Dikyanos, 84, Last Seen In Lincoln SquareAnderson said volunteers have been showing up to help since the storm cleared.
“The outpouring from the community has just been absolutely amazing,” she said. “Totally heartwarming; we were at a loss this morning, and there were people here last night trying to help us catch reindeer, secure fences. It was incredible.”
MORE NEWS: Chicago Speed Cameras To Start Issuing $35 Tickets To Drivers Going 6 MPH Over The Limit On MondayDamage to the zoo was estimated at $200,000. The zoo was hoping to raise money online to help pay for repairs.
Summerfield ZooA tornado hit Summerfield Zoo in Belvidere, Illinois, on Thursday, taking out perimeter fences, sheds, shelters, and a portion of a barn roof. Two animals were killed.(Photo courtesy Danielle Anderson)
Summerfield ZooMany trees were toppled at Summerfield Zoo in Belvidere, Illinois, when it took a direct hit from a tornado on Thursday. (Photo courtesy Danielle Anderson)
Summerfield ZooThe roof of a barn at Summerfield Zoo was severely damaged by a tornado on Thursday. (Photo courtesy Danielle Anderson)
Summerfield ZooPerimeter fences at Summerfield Zoo in Belvidere, Illinois, were damaged by a tornado that caused $200,000 in damage to the zoo. (Photo courtesy Danielle Anderson)
Summerfield ZooAnimals at Summerfield Zoo in Belvidere trying to get back into their routine after Thursday's storm. (Credit: Samira Kanacevic)
