Geneva Public Works Helps in Continued Efforts of Ottawa Tornado Cleanup

As Ottawa continues to recover from tornado damage incurred earlier this year, the community recently received a helping hand from the Geneva Public Works Department and other local entities.

The National Weather Service confirmed three tornadoes swept through north central Illinois on Feb. 28. In Ottawa, one person was killed, 14 were injured and many homes and buildings were damaged.

Geneva is a member of the Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network, which sent out a request to municipalities for dump trucks and drivers to help remove tree, brush and garbage March 15-17 in Ottawa, according to the city of Geneva newsletter.

Geneva sent two trucks and two crew members, including:

• March 15 - Kirk Nelson & Ed Regelbrugge
• March 16 - Nick Alford & Jeff Wilger
• March 17 - Joel McNally & Steve Jones

While tornado damage still is evident, the coordinated effort taking place the past several weeks was meant to help bring the Ottawa community back to normality. Debris already had been conveniently stacked at the curb for public works crews to take to the appropriate collection sites.

"Residents were very appreciative and thankful for the response," Nelson said. "People were waving to us while walking their dogs as we were hauling debris away."

Photo via the city of Geneva