Streator | Illinois Baptist Disaster Relief (IBDR) teams deployed to Streator and Washburn following two EF3 tornadoes that ripped through the north central Illinois communities on June 11. Streator Baptist Camp, which lies a few miles northwest of Streator was not impacted by the tornado.
“Most of the work in Streator will involve debris removal,” said Glen Carty, interim state disaster relief director told the Illinois Baptist. While some homes were destroyed, others needed debris cleared to allow residents back inside.
Teams began work in Streator on Monday, June 15 but stopped at noon on June 17 with the onset of new storms at the request of the city’s mayor out of an abundance of caution.
IBDR volunteers at work in Streator on June 16.
Erven Avenue and New Beginnings Baptist Churches in Streator provided food and lodging for volunteers.
Teams from 12 Illinois Baptist churches participated in the work in Streator. An IBDR shower trailer was also onsite.
The Salvation Army asked IBDR to aid with cleanup efforts at its Eagle Crest Camp in Washburn, located 23 miles northwest of Peoria. Chainsaw teams began work June 12, finishing June 15.
A chainsaw team from the Heartland Baptist Network also assisted with cleanup efforts related to the June 10-11 storms that impacted Springfield.
Updated on Wednesday, June 17 at 2 p.m.