Ogle County officials have now gone into a long term recovery project in helping residents in rural Rochelle who suffered damage to their homes or property following a tornado that hit the area Thursday evening.
An E-F four tornado with winds up to 200 miles per hour damaged nearly 80 structures in Ogle County. 20 to 30 homes were destroyed.
Ogle County Emergency Management Coordinator Tom Richter said that they are still removing debris from the subdivisions and meeting the needs of families. He stressed that they no longer need physical donations. People can donate money for the families through the Rochelle Area Community Foundation or drop off gift cards at the Rochelle Fire Department.
Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle said that the area hit by the tornado looks totally different than it did on Friday.
More than 13 hundred volunteers helped clean up the debris this past weekend in the damaged areas.
VanVickle said that they have lifted the burn ban for Rochelle along with the Ogle-Lee and Lynn-Scott-Rock Fire Protection Districts. They have also set-up a face book page dealing with found property. He said that some items from Rochelle have been found by people living in Wisconsin.
If you have found an item in the area, you can turn it in to your local police agency.
The Ogle County Animal Control is also asking residents that if you find a dog, cat, or any animal lost from the storm, give them a call at 732-1185.
Richter also said that at this time, nothing has been finalized on if there will be a recovery center for area residents to visit.
The Rochelle Elementary School District will hold a cookout this Thursday from 5 until 7 at Lincoln School. This is for all affected residents from the storm along with EMS personnel.
The Ogle County Planning & Zoning Department is reminding residents of unincorporated Ogle County that a Zoning Certificate (permit) is required for the reconstruction of buildings substantially damaged or destroyed by the recent tornado of April 9, 2015. The staff of the Planning & Zoning Department is available to assist in completing the required application process, application fees will be waived, and issuance of Zoning Certificates will be expedited.
If a portion or all of a building was destroyed, a Zoning Certificate is required prior to reconstruction. For repairs such as replacement of windows, siding, shingles, or other similar repairs, no Zoning Certificate is required.
For questions regarding whether or not a Zoning Certificate is required, please contact the Ogle County Planning & Zoning Department at (815) 732-1190 or [email protected].
