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In Kankakee County, Illinois, officials have confirmed the identity of a deceased man discovered in a damaged residence in Aroma Park, following an EF-3 tornado. The man, Maurice Norington, was located days after the storm had passed through the region.
Maurice Norington, who has been recognized as a 65-year-old Army veteran, was identified by his grieving family.
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Angel Merritt, his sister from Chicago, shared that she had alerted the police for a welfare check after the tornado struck on Tuesday. It was during subsequent repair operations that crews, collaborating with local authorities, found Norington on Thursday.
“I never imagined a tornado would take my brother’s life,” Merritt expressed with sorrow.
The family is devastated by the loss. Merritt mentioned her numerous attempts to contact her brother after the tornado ravaged Kankakee County, but unfortunately, she was unable to reach him.
“I called him nonstop every 30 minutes to an hour, back-to-back, back-to-back.” Merritt said.
She says she sent Norington’s friend to go look for him, and that’s when the friend found crews working in the area and asked if they would help search.
“If you have to knock the door down, knock the door down, get in that house and they got in,” Merritt said. “Maurice’s room was here, and there’s an old way here, and that’s where he was laying.”
Her brother’s home near Oakwood and Elwood had a large tree that pierced through the roof. The coroner’s office says Norington had fatal injuries from the storm. Neighbors say he will be deeply missed.
“He’s always sit out on his truck, and you know, just kind of wave to everybody coming by, always cleaning up his leaves and everything. So, I mean, just a really nice guy, and it’s so sad to hear what happened,” said neighbor Tyler Boerschig.
Having grown up in nearby Hopkins Park, Merritt said she and her brother are not strangers to tornadoes, but they had never experienced anything like this.
“I can’t imagine what Maurice was thinking when he hit that floor,” she said. “He’s in that house by himself, no one was around him, no family.”
Merritt said Norington was a proud veteran. He loved the military and family was the most important thing in his life.
This loss in the community comes as Kankakee County continues to clean up and rebuild. Crews could be seen clearing debris and downed trees on Friday.
The Lincoln Cultural Center opened its doors to help feed those who were impacted by the tornado.
Jo Thomas runs Little Light of Mine Child Care Center. She came by to drop off donations and to pick up items for parents in need.
“Some of our parents, you know, it’s a hard time for them, as well. They need diapers and wipes and grabbed some,” Thomas said. “Everybody is working together to make it better.”
Crews still have Norington’s street completely shut down while they work to clear all the debris from people’s homes, streets, plus repair the downed power lines.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and neighbors of Mr. Norington,” said Sheriff Mike Downey. “Our law enforcement and other first responders have had an incredibly difficult job to do since Tuesday evening’s devastating storms. I am extremely proud of their efforts up to this point and applaud them for their continued work as we attempt to move forward. I want to remind area residents in the impacted areas to continue to check on your loved ones and neighbors until everyone is completely accounted for.”
The Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office says strong winds hampered some of their efforts on Friday, but they will continue to search through heavily damaged areas.
“It’s been very shocking and devastating to everyone. But when I tell you everybody is helping each other, they’re coming out of the woodworks to bring whatever that they can,” Thomas said.
Indiana officials answer questions about resources in Lake Village as community rallies around those in need
The high winds also impacted delayed some of the cleanup planned for Friday in Lake Village, but officials have set plans for coming days to pick up debris that has swarmed the Indiana community.
People in Lake Village are still grappling with the reality of the long recovery ahead of them after Tuesday’s tornado.
Local officials answered their questions and easing concerns about what help is available for the community on Friday night.
“One thing I’ve seen with this community is the resilience,” said incident commander Pascal Arnes. “The camaraderie and how this community has come together.”
Donations have also been flooding in at the township community center this week, with tools to rebuild, clothing and food for everyone impacted by Tuesday’s tornado.
The Newton County Sheriff’s Office has set up a relief fund at several area banks to ensure funds are given directly to the Lake Village community, which was also hit by a deadly tornado this week. The banks are Kentland Bank, Demotte State Bank, Brook Community State Bank, and Fowler State Bank.
Officials urged patience and warned people to look out for any scams that often follow these natural disasters.
“Watch out for them. Be alert. Be cautious,” said Newton County Sheriff Shannon Cothran. “Do not fall for high-pressure contract signings. Do not fall for demands of cash down payments.”
Many people in the community expressed their gratitude for the constant support that has come in from their neighbors.
It is something that has been helpful for Angela Eckhoff, a mother who was hiding in her crawl space with four children and their neighbors as a tornado destroyed the home.
“It’s definitely humbled us. You look around, and you want to be sad, but then, you’re like, how can you be sad when all these people show up to help you? And you’re just grateful,” Eckhoff said.
Eckhoff said she has received so many donations this week that she now plans to pay it forward at her own business in Momence, Illinois at 21 North Banquet Hall. Over the next week, she plans to give away any essentials needed for people impacted by the tornado.
“We have clothes for babies we have diapers we have car seats we have swings we have anything you can think of we have for the community,” Eckhoff said.
Local officials say residents can find all updates on the Newton County Sheriff’s Facebook page.
There has also been local speculation about the tornado sirens possibly not working on Tuesday night, and officials say there will be a full investigation into that.
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