First United Methodist Church at 216 E. Highland Ave

Severe Storms Bring Straight-Line Winds to Kane County; No Tornadoes Confirmed

Kane County Connects Staff 3/17/2025 9:00AM

The National Weather Service (NWS) has completed its preliminary storm survey and determined that no tornadoes touched down in Kane County on Friday. Instead, damage across the area was caused by straight-line winds reaching 70 mph or greater. While most of the county experienced minor damage—such as downed trees and cosmetic building impacts—some locations, including Maple Park, Burlington, Virgl, Huntley and Hampshire, saw more significant but isolated damage.

The worst structural damage occurred in Elgin, where powerful winds ripped off half the roof of the 101-year-old First United Methodist Church at 216 E. Highland Ave. The storm left a gaping hole over the sanctuary, exposing the historic church to rain damage. While water is seeping inside, the interior wooden ceiling remains intact. Fortunately, the 60 people sheltering in the basement at the time were unharmed.

While no tornadoes were confirmed in Kane County, the NWS did verify four tornadoes in other areas:

EF-0 in Yorkville
EF-0 in Bartlett and Hanover Park

Kane County has had 13 reported tornadoes in the past year and a half.

Help Report Damage

The Kane County Office of Emergency Management is seeking public assistance in assessing storm damage from the severe weather that occurred on Friday night, March 14, 2025. The information collected will help determine if the county qualifies for federal disaster assistance.

According to federal guidelines, reports are needed from:

🔹 Homeowners, renters, and businesses with at least 40% uninsured property damage to living spaces. This excludes damage to garages, sheds, decks, fences, or trees. Example: A home valued at $100,000 must have $40,000 or more in damages not covered by insurance to qualify.

🔹 Businesses with economic losses due to the storm, including those directly impacted by the disaster or unable to cover expenses and debt payments. Examples include: Loss of inventory due to power outages (e.g., spoiled freezer contents) Closure or loss of business due to storm damage or other direct impacts.

Residents and business owners who believe they qualify can submit a report at:
👉 https://laserfiche.kanecountyil.gov/Forms/Tornado-Response

Submitting a report does not guarantee financial assistance, but it helps determine whether Kane County meets the federal aid threshold. Even those who do not plan to apply for assistance are encouraged to submit their information to support the county's eligibility.

For more information, contact the Kane County Office of Emergency Management at (630) 232-5985 or KaneCountyEOC@KaneCountyIL.gov.

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