Durbin Statement on Central Illinois Tornadoes

DURBIN STATEMENT ON CENTRAL ILLINOIS TORNADOES

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) gave the following speech on the Senate floor Tuesday regarding the tornadoes that hit Central Illinois:

"Mr. President, for the last two days, I've been asked by many senators, and I've received calls and emails from across the country, about my hometown of Springfield, Illinois, which was hit by two tornadoes Sunday evening. I want to take a few minutes to tell this Senate, and the nation, where things stand now.

"On behalf of the people of Springfield, let me say: We are grateful for the outpouring of support we have received these last two days. We will get through this disaster together, and we will rebuild Mr. Lincoln's hometown.

"This series of photographs (Durbin was referring to a chart with images of the damage) shows homes and businesses in Springfield that were blown apart by the tornadoes. Imagine this image multiplied hundreds of times, and you have an idea of what Springfield looks like today -- and the hard road ahead facing many Springfield families and businesses.

"The two tornadoes that hit Springfield were part of a violent storm system that claimed at least nine lives and wreaked havoc along a 350-mile corridor -- from Lawrence, Kansas through Illinois. They were the worst tornadoes many people in Springfield can recall. And we live in Tornado Alley.

"They tore through Springfield at about 120 miles an hour, followed by fierce rain and hail.

"The first tornado touched down around 8:20 Sunday evening. It was on the ground for almost about six minutes and left a path of destruction 5 ½ miles long and a half-mile wide.

"The second tornado touched down at 8:25. It was on the ground for five minutes and left a damage path four miles long 300 yards wide.

"The winds ripped the roof off a Springfield Wal-Mart, peeled the siding off other buildings, and blew the windows out of countless buildings - including some windows in our state capitol building. Many homes and businesses were completely leveled.

"Trees were pulled up by the roots. Utility poles were snapped in half. Traffic signs and signals were toppled, forcing the closure of most major roads into the city.

"Twenty-four people in central Illinois were injured in the storms, including 19 people in Springfield.

"We are very grateful that no one died in our state. That's due partly to luck -- but partly also to the excellent storm-warning system operated by the city of Springfield and Sangamon County. The early warnings gave people time to seek shelter from the storm.

"Governor Rod Blagojevich has already declared a state disaster in Sangamon County and in six neighboring counties: Ford, Greene, Logan, Morgan, Randolph, and Scott.

"But the worst damage, by far, is in Springfield.

"Nearly 1,000 homes were damaged or destroyed.

"10,000 people remain without electricity.

"Schools remain closed today.

"Many roads are still impassable.

"The worst disasters tend to bring out the best in Americans. That is certainly true in Springfield today. There has been a real outpouring of courage and generosity. I'm told that the Red Cross is seeking temporary housing for about 50 Springfield residents today. All of the other people whose homes were damaged or destroyed have been taken in by friends and family in the Springfield area.

"I want to commend Governor Blagojevich, Springfield Mayor Tim Davlin and their staffs, and so many community leaders who have been working around the clock try to get help to the victims and restore power to the areas that lost it.

"I also want to commend the mayors of two neighboring towns that were also hit hard by the tornados. Mayor Harry Stirmell of the village of Jerome; and Mayor Joe Rusciolelli, of the village of Riverton, and working with state and local officials, and with FEMA.

"The Governor's office and the mayors' offices are scheduled to meet with FEMA officials tomorrow to assess the damage together and map out a recovery plan. Senator Obama and I, along with the Illinois congressional delegation, are working closely with them to provide assistance.

"Based on what we already know, we expect that Springfield and other central Illinois communities hit by these tornadoes will quality for federal emergency disaster assistance, and we hope that aid will be forthcoming quickly.

"A story in today's Springfield Journal Register quotes a man named Tim Williams. Before the tornado, Mr. Williams' garage in Springfield was filled with antiques, including a 1955 Roadmaster Rivera that he had just finished restoring and had driven only 87 miles. Today, the car is damaged and Mr. Williams' antiques are scattered across the neighborhood.

"Like everyone in Springfield, Tim Williams considers himself lucky that he and his family made it through the tornadoes alive. Like many in our town, he is feeling a renewed empathy for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. As Mr. Williams told a reporter: "You don't realize until it happens to you."

"I want to say to my fellow residents of Springfield - and to others who suffered severe losses in these storms: You are not alone. America is with you. We will help you get through this and help you rebuild. We are 50 states, but we are one American family."

http://durbin.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=252646&&