Grayslake leaders praise tornado response

Grayslake Mayor Rhett Taylor and other elected officials praised the assistance that was provided to the village after a tornado struck a section of this month.

Tuesday night's village board session was the first since the twister hit Grayslake and other parts of central Lake County on Aug. 2. The board had been scheduled to meet Aug. 4, but the meeting was canceled due to heavy demands on village government so soon after the tornado.

No injuries or deaths resulted from the tornado.

Taylor said officials believe the tornado was the first recorded in Grayslake since it was incorporated in 1895. He said several Lake County governments were among those that provided assistance to village employees who ran a 24-hour operation for several days.

"I'd like to thank many, many people," Taylor said. "I'd like to thank Gov. Rauner and his office. The governor himself called me to make sure Grayslake was OK and all its citizens."

Taylor said the village this week has authorized an additional $75,000 to cover tornado-related expenses.

Trustee Ron Jarvis said he was impressed with the speed of village crews that removed trees from a street near Grayslake Central High School soon after the twister struck.

An EF-1 tornado cut a narrow path through central Lake County, according to the National Weather Service. The twister left a swath about 7½ miles long and 300 yards wide, weather service officials said.

High winds damaged a section of Grayslake Central High School's roof, wiped out the visiting team's dugout at the baseball field and knocked down a section of outfield fencing. The damage was repaired and the 2015-16 academic season began as scheduled last week.

On Lake Street across from Grayslake Central, a pile of roofing from the school landed at the base of a maple tree at the home of Lance and Jenny White. The tree blocked the debris from smashing into their home.

Taylor said she walked the village neighborhoods affected by the tornado.

"What impressed me was how much neighbors came out to help each other and how people who were impacted themselves by the tornado went to Wildwood and other neighboring areas to help their friends who were also impacted," he said. "I saw many instances of the community pulling together to help each other out."