WASHINGTON, Ill. — November 17, 2013. It’s been eight years since tornadoes ripped through Pekin, East Peoria and Washington, Illinois.
The damage was especially devastating in Washington, where three lives were lost and over 1,000 homes were damaged or destroyed.
Then Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn came through with $14.9 million that helped Washington rebuild its streets, curbs and gutters in the most devastated areas.
Surrounding communities, the state and the nation came to Washington’s aid after the storm. Mayor Gary Manier said the response was almost overwhelming.
“They brought generators, rakes and shovels, and were ready to go to work. And, the doctors and nurses were coming in by the hundreds,” Manier said.
300 to 400 health care workers assembled immediately after the tornado, setting up a triage unit at the Washington Fire Station.
Washington and its residents battled for months with FEMA over funding to rebuild.
