Tornado Touched Down In Homewood: National Weather Service

HOMEWOOD, IL — An EF-1 tornado touched down in Homewood Monday, the National Weather Service said late Tuesday. An EF-1 tornado was confirmed to have hit Homewood, NWS said.

NWS also reported that a tornado impacted Country Club Hills, Hazel Crest, and Harvey. Damage reflecting an EF-1 tornado was found in Hazel Crest, NWS said, and given the complexity of its track, they are still finalizing details.

The agency also confirmed an EF-1 tornado in Lansing, and an EF-0 tornado in Orland Park. In Downers Grove and Carol Stream, powerful straight-line winds were confirmed.

On Tuesday, the Village of Homewood praised its residents for their response to Monday's chaotic weather.

"Yesterday reminded us exactly what makes Homewood special," the Village said in a release. "In the moments immediately following this unprecedented and damaging storm, it was encouraging to see neighbors stepping up and helping one another. We saw residents, in quiet unison, cutting trees and moving them to the parkway. We also saw residents at Home Depot purchasing multiple chainsaws to share with neighbors on their block. In times of catastrophe and uncertainty, it’s the strength and resilience of our community that shines the brightest, and yesterday was an incredible example of what it means to be a good neighbor in Homewood."

Homewood Public Works crews and contractors moved as quickly as possible Tuesday to assess damage and clear large trees from streets and roadways, the Village said.

"Because of the large-scale impact of the storm, cleanup will take time," the Village said. "Please be patient."

Cook County's Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security (EMRS) and the City of Chicago's Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) are reviewing damage from the severe thunderstorms and tornadoes that occurred July 27, and asking that residents who have been impacted by these storms submit an initial damage assessment. A survey is available online and must be completed by August 5.

"Thank you for your patience, your kindness, and for continuing to look out for one another," the Village said. Recovery doesn’t happen overnight, but communities like Homewood prove that we never have to face it alone."