WASHINGTON, Ill. – November 17, 2013. It’s been nine years since tornadoes ripped through Pekin, East Peoria and Washington, Illinois.
The damage was especially devastating in Washington, where three lives were lost and over 1,100 homes were damaged or destroyed.
Washington Mayor Gary Manier recalls that like many people, he was in church that morning.
“I got a text message from the police chief, then the sirens went off, I got into my car, heading even further into the city to get a look at the devastation. I couldn’t believe what I saw,” Manier tells WMBD’s “The Greg and Dan Show”.
Surrounding communities, the state and the nation came to Washington’s aid after the storm.
“When a community’s hit like this, everybody springs into action…we know what Red Cross and the Salvation Army does for disasters. Our Ministerial Association and our churches took over, Illinois State Police were there from hour one, Peoria Police and Fire, we had to shut our borders down because so many people were trying to get in,” Manier said.
Then Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn did come through with $14.9 million to help Washington rebuild its streets, curbs and gutters in the most devastated areas. But, the city and its residents fought for months with FEMA to get money to rebuild homes and businesses.
Thursday morning, Manier planned to attend Washington’s annual prayer breakfast with others who lost so much in the tornado.
The EF-4 tornado on November 17, 2013 was estimated to have caused $935 million in damage in Washington, alone.
