Tornado Displaces Residents in Justice, Illinois

Lisa Muellman, originally from Evergreen Park, found her first stable home in an apartment in Justice after years of moving from place to place. Over five years, she personalized her space with family photos, books, and cherished belongings. ‘It was my sanctuary,’ she shared. However, on June 11, a tornado struck, ripping off roofs and walls at 8045 and 8049 W. 83rd St., altering Muellman’s life and those of her neighbors.

The National Weather Service reported wind speeds between 111 and 135 mph during the tornado. Muellman felt overwhelmed as she faced her damaged belongings, awaiting the property’s uncertain fate—repair or demolition. Insurance companies and the building owner were in discussions, but no decisions had been made. The Red Cross offered shelter, but she needed help with organizing, storing, and moving her possessions. ‘I’m alive, but I’m leaving a lot behind,’ she stated. Most of the responsibility for sorting everything fell on her shoulders.

The storm was part of a severe weather pattern continuing through June 17 across the Chicago area. According to Alex Joves, Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security’s executive director, 676 residents in Cook County reported damage through a self-assessment survey by June 18. ‘Our communities experienced significant impacts from the recent storms,’ Joves noted.

The tornado that touched down near Muellman’s apartment was among 17 in the region on June 11, as per the National Weather Service. Fred Schuerg, Deputy Police Chief, shared that the Justice Police Department received multiple emergency calls on June 11. Reports included a collapsing ceiling, downed power lines, and outages. Fortunately, there were only minor injuries and no fatalities. Of the two apartment complexes on 83rd Street, one had its roof and a third-floor wall removed, while the other lost its roof and third-floor interior ceilings, with significant structural twisting.

On June 12, a family helped their mother evacuate from an 83rd Street apartment building as reported by Addison Wright of Daily Southtown. This followed a derecho the night before, with wind speeds up to 85 mph. The storms and power outages affected over 674,600 homes, according to the National Weather Service and Commonwealth Edison.

Muellman noted that many residents, having lost power on June 10, had already vacated. Her landlord advised finding temporary housing for six months during building repairs. Muellman initially stayed with a friend but was uncertain about her long-term options as her friend faced health issues. Additionally, she rented a small storage unit for $100 a month, but it couldn’t hold much. Forced to leave 85% of her possessions behind due to water damage and limited space, she retained essential items like her couch, family photos, china, and clothes, but sacrificed her books, bed, favorite furniture, and more.

Addison Wright from Daily Southtown captured moments as Muellman moved her belongings out over the following days. As an avid reader, she lamented parting with many unread books. Complications continued as her mail was paused without a clear forwarding address. While informed of a rent rebate and returned security deposit, payments remained pending as of Thursday.

James Lurquin, Deputy Code Enforcement Officer for Justice, encouraged residents to seek support from the Red Cross. He confirmed uncertainty regarding potential demolition of the affected apartments. Building restoration depended on the owner’s insurance evaluations and necessary permits from Cook County. Each permit could require at least three to five days for processing.

Lurquin mentioned temporary protective measures and ongoing repair work at the sites. A collective effort from local, county, and state officials, alongside the Red Cross and other groups, aimed to provide aid, with emphasis on mental health and essential needs. Regional Communications Director for the American Red Cross of Illinois, Connie Esparza, highlighted available support for those affected. Residents were urged to contact the Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767 for any assistance, be it mental health services or essential replacements like medication and eyewear.