Letter to residents, Storm update May 15, 2026

Village of Roscoe Storm Response Update – April 17 EF-1 Tornado

Dear Residents,
The Village of Roscoe would like to take a moment to provide an overview of our response efforts following the EF-1 tornado that impacted our community on April 17, as well as to express our sincere appreciation for the strength and cooperation shown by our residents during this difficult time.
First and foremost, the health and safety of our residents was our highest priority. The Roscoe Police Department, along with the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office, Harlem Roscoe Fire Department, and several mutual aid fire departments, responded quickly to the storm. These agencies conducted welfare checks throughout the affected areas and assisted in making accommodations for residents who were displaced.
Access to impacted neighborhoods was addressed immediately by the Village of Roscoe Public Works Department, with assistance from Roscoe Township. Roads were promptly cleared of trees and debris to ensure emergency personnel could safely and efficiently reach those in need.
In the days and weeks following the storm, Roscoe Public Works continued extensive cleanup operations for approximately three weeks, focusing on the removal of trees and building materials. We are especially grateful to our residents for their patience and for their tremendous efforts in helping sort
and cut debris into manageable sizes for collection and disposal.
Communication and public updates were coordinated by Village staff throughout the response and recovery process. Staff worked to provide timely general information, respond to individual concerns,
and ensure that resources and updates were readily available through the Village website and social media channels.
In addition, many residents in need of assistance were connected with appropriate support services and recovery resources. As part of these efforts, the Village of Roscoe, in coordination with local and state partners, hosted a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) on April 24 at Life Church. This “one-stop”
resource center provided residents with access to recovery assistance, insurance guidance (including policy review), health and safety information, and cleanup support.

Participating agencies included:
• Roscoe Police Department
• Winnebago County Health Department
• Illinois Department of Insurance
• Lutheran Church Charities L.E.R.T. (Chainsaw Team), assisting with storm debris and tree
cleanup coordination
Representatives were on-site to answer questions and help connect residents with available services and resources.
We are deeply grateful for the patience, resilience, and willingness of our community members to
support one another during this challenging time. The response from residents, volunteers, and partner agencies truly reflects the strength of the Village of Roscoe.
Finally, we welcome any suggestions or feedback as we continue working to improve our emergency response efforts. Please feel free to share your comments or recommendations by emailing [email protected].

Still need help from the storm? https://www.roscoeil.gov/disaster-response/page/storm-cleanup-debris-removal-guidance