WASHINGTON, Ill. — Dennis Schlagel was amazed at the progress being made on construction of new homes in Washington, where an estimated (as reports vary slightly) 1,082 structures were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable from the deadly Nov. 17, 2013, EF-4 tornado that cut a half-mile-wide swath through the heart of the town’s most populous residential district.
One year after the twister, which caused three deaths in this Illinois city, more than 800 building permits have been issued to residents eager to rebuild their homes in time for the holidays. "Driving through, you see walls, roofs and siding going up," the Fellowship of Christian Farmers International (FCFI) executive director said.
Schlagel led a team of volunteers who, in the days after the storm, cleared some 50 properties of debris to be moved by farmers who loaned trucks to the effort. "There have been a lot of homes built since the weather cleared in March. It’s just been an amazing rebuild," he said.
A year ago, Schlagel and his team moved their emergency response motor home to the grounds of Bethany Community Church, located on West Dutch Lane outside Washington, to coordinate a massive volunteer response by area Christian farmers. "Farmers responded to help pick up the pieces after the storm. It was really thrilling to see," he said. "It made you feel like the neighbors there still really loved each other."
Indelible memories are seared on Schlagel’s mind from when the first FCFI-led volunteer team put boots on the ground in Washington’s hardest hit areas just hours after the storm. "Not being familiar with Washington was a disadvantage. It was one big mess of debris. There was no way to differentiate streets or houses," he said.
"I’ve never been to a war zone, but I think it might have been worse than a war zone. It was a mangled mess of people’s lives."
Only one Washington resident lost their life during the storm, but two more succumbed to tornado-related injuries in the ensuing weeks. Schlagel is among those in central Illinois who credit a greater power for the minimal amount of casualties caused by the estimated 180-mph twister, with respect to still suffering families. The reason is because many residents were safely ensconced in structurally solid houses of worship, which were left unscathed by the twister’s path despite the scattered locations of churches in the town.
"It was amazing (Washington) didn’t lose more people. The Lord protected them with all those people in church. People literally saved their lives by going to church," said Schlagel.
Though the brunt of the storm tearing through Washington on a northeast bearing was absorbed by the town itself, several farm families, houses and operations were affected. Just northeast of town, the home of pork producers Curt and Sue Zehr was obliterated, as were their farm’s outbuildings, silos and nearby usable cropland.
Sue Zehr recently noted on the family business’ Facebook that the farmhouse has been rebuilt and said the family is truly blessed to have survived the ordeal.
Continuing in a northeast direction from Washington, the powerful tornado continued to inflict damage on rural farm properties, including the Joe Bachman farm in Woodford County. The Bachman family, in addition to neighboring farm families, is continuing their commitment to rebuild after the historic storm.
"(The Bachmans) were putting the brick up (last) week, along with the roof, at the same time they were getting their harvest done. And they are making plans for a new machine shed," Schlagel reported.
Lexington, Ill.-based FCFI has coordinated disaster relief efforts, including mending fences in post-Hurricane Katrina Louisiana, aiding farmers in flooded Colorado River basins and traveling internationally as part of its agrarian humanitarian outreach mission. Sharing those experiences with disaster survivors in Washington, Ill., New Iberia, La., or in poverty-stricken Haiti has provided him with a particular wisdom, Schlagel confided. "When people are suffering from massive loss, it’s best to let them talk things out, and lend an ear, rather than to be the person talking," he said.
Overall tornado damage claims will likely top $1 billion, largely originating from nine counties in Illinois and a few in Indiana, as a result of the storm system that spawned multiple tornadoes throughout the Midwest that day in 2013, according to State Farm and AllState insurance estimates.
Though federal disaster relief from FEMA was denied for Washington’s recovery efforts, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn ordered funding to the city of $45 million, supported through a multi-agency relief fund earlier this year. An outpouring of relief efforts to aid residents in their rebuilding process, led by multidenominational churches under the auspices of the Washington Ministerial Assoc., has also boosted the city’s recovery efforts.
