Storm Damage in Kane County after Four Confirmed Tornadoes
The National Weather Service Chicago has confirmed four tornadoes touched down in Kane County. A total of 11 tornadoes hit northeastern Illinois on Tuesday.
Compton Tornado (Lee Co): EF-0
Waterman Tornado (DeKalb Co): EF-0
Hinckley to Big Rock Tornado (DeKalb/Kane Co): EF-0
Sugar Grove to Batavia Tornado (Kane Co): EF-1
Elburn to Campton Hills Tornado (Kane Co): EF-0
Geneva Tornado (Kane Co): EF-1
Gary Tornado (Lake, IN Co): EF-1
South Barrington Tornado (Cook Co): EF-0
Northern Hoffman Estates Tornado (Cook Co): EF-1
Southern Hoffman Estates Tornado (Cook Co): EF-0
Mundelein Tornado (Lake, IL): EF-1
EF-0 tornados have a wind speed of 65-85 mph and EF-1 tornados have a wind speed of 86-110 mph. Kane County had no reported injuries or deaths, only property damage. There were also 5 other EF-0 and 2 other EF-1 tornados in the Chicago area.
To accurately assess damages from the tornados on February 27, the Kane County Office of Emergency Management will have Damage Assessment Teams canvasing several areas in the County starting on February 29 after 9 a.m. Teams will be visible and have a valid government issued ID. You can also submit your information at this link: https://laserfiche.kanecountyil.gov/Forms/tornado-response
The powerful storm devastated Spring Bluff Nursery, at 41W130 Norris Road. The storm ripped apart 11 greenhouses and left scattered debris across the premises, with countless plants destroyed.
In an interview with WGN News, individuals on scene said there was also harm done to delicate plants housed in temperature-controlled greenhouses, now exposed to the harsh cold. Additionally, several trees on the property were halved by the force of the storm. Here is a video of some of the damage. VIDEO
A tornado also destroyed the historic Reckinger Farm in Batavia, which dates back to the 1860s. The barn was a complete loss. Here's a local news report with video of the damage. VIDEO
The Pepper Valley subdivision and structures along a portion of Kesslinger and Kaneville Roads suffered damage in Geneva.
The campus of Wabonsee Community College in Sugar Grove was also hit and lost trees and sustained other damage. The aftermath of the storm did not impact classes and the school reopened on scheduled on Wednesday.
CITY OF GENEVA UPDATE 2/29/24
Geneva To Provide Dumpsters, Special Brush Collection For Tornado Victims
The City will be providing temporary garbage dumpsters and a special brush collection for residents who suffered significant property damage due to the Feb. 27 tornado that swept through Geneva.
LRS will be dropping off five dumpsters Friday, March 1 that will be located on the following streets in the Pepper Valley subdivision:
- Essex Court (2);
- Cambridge Drive;
- Pepper Valley Drive; and
- Deerfield Way.
Residents should dispose of large-scale storm debris such as windows, siding, fencing, etc. that would not generally fit into garbage bags or an LRS trash cart. The dumpsters should not be used for regular garbage disposal. The dumpsters will be removed during the morning hours Monday, March 4.
The locations were chosen due to the highest concentration level of storm damage, and the dumpsters could not be placed on Kaneville Road or Williamsburg Avenue due to traffic safety concerns. The City acknowledges storm damage did occur outside of the Pepper Valley subdivision and apologizes for the inconvenience that some residents may experience having to transport their storm debris for disposal.
Special Brush Collection
The City also will be conducting a special brush collection to help clear tree damage from the tornado.
The special brush pickup is scheduled to run Monday to Wednesday, March 4 to 6, for residents generally living within the boundaries of Cambridge Drive, South Street, Country Club Place, State Street, and Williamsburg Avenue. The City has posted a collection map online to specify eligible residents.
Brush pickup is intended for the disposal of tree limbs and branches that are removed by the property owner for storm damage cleanup and restoration, not for lot clearing. Kramer Tree Specialists, the City’s contractor, will not collect material produced by a private contractor.
Tree branches must be stacked with the cut ends facing in one direction toward the curb or edge of the pavement – not in the street. Tree limbs should be less than 12 feet in length.
Residents should not tie bundles of branches with rope or wire. No foreign materials, such as construction debris, fencing, lumber, wire, grass, flowers, and garden waste will be collected.
The special brush pickup is intended to help the most significant concentration of homes – albeit not all – that experienced tree damage stemming from the tornado. Residents living outside the designated area should hold onto their brush until the City’s regular brush program begins in April.
City employees will be walking through the neighborhood to post notices on doors about both special programs. For more information, call the Geneva Public Works Department at 630-232-1501. Stay tuned to the City’s website Alert Center for the latest tornado updates.
