One Story Of Survival After Tornado: "Everything Is Gone"
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Dozens of families in two towns in north central Illinois were left sifting through the rubble, after tornadoes leveled their homes.
A twister ripped through Fairdale around 7:15 p.m. Thursday, damaging or destroying virtually all of the 75 buildings in the town of about 200 people. At least 17 homes were completely destroyed. Nearby Rochelle was hit by a tornado around the same time, and while officials were still assessing damage Friday morning, they said at least 30 homes were destroyed or uninhabitable.
For dozens of families, nothing is left.
Mike Belmonte was trembling as he talked about the devastation, after his house in Rochelle was shredded by the twister.
"Everything is gone," he said.
Belmonte and six of his family members huddled underground as the tornado ripped through their home. They ended up trapped by all the debris.
"We were in the basement. Everything is collapsed. We couldn't get out," he said.
The tornado even tossed t heir red car like a ball. It ended up in the basement next door.
"I just remember stuff hitting, falling; all I hear is rumbling, and I didn't know what to think," Belmonte said. "Finally, when it was over, the house was gone."
With the dawn of a new day, the family was left with only the clothes on their backs, and memories of survival
"I was thankful, for sure; thankful nobody was hurt," he said.
Officials estimated at least 30 homes in Rochelle were destroyed. One farm was obliterated, the silo no longer standing tall after it was toppled on its side.
The Belmonte family was able to go back to their home Friday morning, to sift through the debris, and see if anything was spared.
Gov. Bruce Rauner was scheduled to meet with emergency responders in Rochelle, and tour the hardest hit areas of the town Friday afternoon.