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Severe weather in Belvidere
ANNE EICKSTADT PHOTO Belvidere Republican
Fencing surrounded the Apollo Theatre debris strewn across State Street on Saturday. The severe weather and harsh winds caused the roof to cave in, the marquee to collapse, and damaged the fly tower.
“Two rounds of severe thunderstorms occurred on Friday, March 31, one in the afternoon and another, more intense and widespread round during the evening,” reported the National Weather Service.
“The first round produced mainly scattered instances of large hail across northern Illinois.
“The second round of storms had a history of producing significant severe damage across the eastern half of Iowa through northern and central Illinois.
“There had been a forecast and communicated severe weather risk beginning on Monday for Friday. This risk was increased to a Level 4 of 5 risk, which happens about once every year to two years in northern Illinois and north-west Indiana.
“A Tornado Watch was issued at 2:30 p.m. through 10 p.m. for the entire area.
“Severe Thunderstorm and Tornado Warnings were is-sued as the storms moved across the area.
“A Tornado Warning was is-sued for Boone County 20 minutes before the Belvidere damage had occurred.
“In northern Illinois and northwest Indiana, this produced areas of significant wind damage and multiple tornadoes.
“There were radar indications that there was debris within rotating storms, so we expect to find some tornado damage.
“There were numerous measured wind gusts of 60 to 75 mph, with radar indications of even higher wind speeds in some of the storms.”
On Saturday, April 1, representatives of the National Weather Service came to Belvidere to view the damages and determine how severe the weather had been. As of the time this article was submitted, they had still not decided if it was a severe storm, a tornado, or a micro-burst. The storm seems to have followed the river upstream as the majority of the damage – branches and trees downed, fences warped, and buildings damaged – seems to have occurred within three blocks of the river.
The single fatality was Fred Livingston Jr., 51, of Belvidere. He was one of more than 200 people attending a concert at the theater Friday night when the severe storms caused the roof to collapse. He was pronounced dead at the scene. (A GoFundMe page has been set up on behalf of his family.)
Chief Shawn Shadle of the Belvidere Fire Department said, “Friday, at 7:56 p.m., after a tornado struck the City of Belvidere, Ill., the Belvidere Fire Department was dispatched to 104 N. State St. for the report of a roof collapse.
“First arriving units arrived within two minutes and joined the efforts of bystanders to rescue persons trapped by debris from the roof collapse and triaging the injured persons. The first arriving on scene commander called for additional resources utilizing the MABAS Box Card System.
“A response of over 100 fire-fighters and paramedics pro-vided the rescue and evacuation efforts. Agencies from Boone, Winnebago and McHenry counties supported the rescue and recovery efforts.
“Area ambulance agencies, seven in total, provided emergency transport to 28 patients. A total of 48 injured persons were treated at local area hospitals. As of 10 a.m. Saturday morning, 24 patients remained hospitalized, and 24 patients were treated and released. Of the 28 patients transported by ambulance, five are in critical condition. Unfortunately, a 51-year-old male was found to be deceased upon our arrival.
“A treatment, triage and reunification center were set up at the nearby fire station. There were numerous patients treated at the fire station by paramedics and MD1 (emergency responding ER physician), and some were trans-ported from there by ambulance as well (included in the 28 total EMS transports).
“MABAS 8 Technical rescue team, a specialized search and rescue team made up of department members from 23 agencies, was assembled. An all clear on life was issued at 11:06, meaning that all the buildings and rubble were searched and information presented that all affected per-sons were accounted for.
“During this effort, multiple calls for service throughout Belvidere were received including gas leaks, reports of trees on houses, an electrical fire, and an elevator rescue. Mutual aid engine companies that were in staging were able to respond to all calls for ser-vice during this time.
“The Apollo Theatre was in the direct path of significant damaging winds that had also uprooted and broken large trees as it went through Belvidere.
“There were no reports of storm related injuries unrelated to the Apollo, and there were no reports of injuries to first responders.
“With the assistance of the IEMA, damage assessments of the entire affected area are being performed.
“If you know of someone needing assistance, please contact the Belvidere Fire Department or Red Cross.
“Our sincerest condolences to the family of the deceased and those injured.
“The Community of Belvidere is extremely thankful to all those who helped to save lives and care for those injured, and thankful for the robust response of our neighboring agencies and MABAS partners.”
Kara Snakey, vice president of MercyHealth Hospital said, “Mercyhealth sends its thoughts and condolences to those affected by last night’s weather-related event in Belvidere.
“A total of 16 patients were transported to Mercyhealth Javon Bea Hospital-Riverside from the Apollo Theatre. Seven of those patients were admitted to the hospital. Two patients are in fair condition and five are in good condition.
“Several other patients arrived at the Emergency Department without emergency transport. They have all been treated and released.
“Mercyhealth is proud to be part of a team of health care and EMS agencies that all worked together to mitigate this tragic event while caring for our communities. We are grateful for all of our health care workers who immediately rose to the occasion and collaborated together. Our top priority is always ensuring that our patients and their families receive the world-class care that they deserve.”
Jeannie of Belvidere said, “Our quadrant including east half of Four Seasons is the only part of Belvidere where power appears to be out. Kid working at Murphy Oil (powered and pumping gas with credit card access) said the major transformer for us including MacDonald’s blew up at 7 last night in a huge blue arc. He only lost power for two minutes. ComEd is bringing in new transformers. He said ComEd always overestimates when power will be restored, so it will probably be before 3 p.m. today or 10 a.m. tomorrow.
“Walmart has power. Uncle John’s had power and a full parking lot. MacDonald’s North (but not near us) is open and moving quickly.
“State Street in front of the Apollo is blocked off to traffic. Only visible signs of dam-age were a lot of 4″ and smaller tree branches twisted off the tops of huge trees at the apartments east of Belvidere Park. Tree debris on the street.
“One fatality per fire chief. Five major trauma. 20 trauma. Five minor trauma but taken to hospital. Other victims may have been transported by private vehicles.
“Kudos to first responders and all those ComEd people!”
Pamela Lopez-Fettes, executive director of Growth Dimensions, said “As many of you know, last night the roof and marquee at the Apollo theater in Belvidere Illinois collapsed, killing one person and injuring many others.
“On behalf of Growth Dimensions Economic Development for Belvidere-Boone County, we want to share our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who attended and are suffering as a result of this catastrophe. We would like to extend our thoughts and prayers for you all.
“We also want to acknowledge and express gratitude for the City of Belvidere and surrounding communities for their response to this incident. We have experienced firsthand on many occasions how the community’s first responders, three area hospitals, utility providers, and many more pull together and collaborate to provide a safer community. Lives were saved due to their response and at the hand of others helping one another.
“At this time, we ask for people not to pass judgment, but support Belvidere as they assess the situation and plan for next steps, extend a hand to help those in need, and pro-vide the compassion for those who will need it in days to come. The community will need your help on this path to recovery. Only together we are resilient.
“There are community organizations that are developing venues to receive help. Growth Dimensions will keep you informed of this progress.”
Gov. Pritzker issued a disaster proclamation for Belvidere due to the severe weather.
