Straight-line winds — not a tornado or microburst — are the likely cause of the damage done to the roof of First United Methodist Church in Elgin by a storm that moved through the area Friday night, the National Weather Service said.
“There’s no conclusive evidence it was a tornado in downtown Elgin,” National Weather Service meteorologist Ricky Castro said. “We surveyed the area, and it was basically inconclusive what caused that roof to be lifted from the church.”
A tornado usually has a path of destruction, but investigators assessing the aftermath of the scene didn’t find that type of damage, Castro said.
“There was not enough evidence to rule tornadic damage. That doesn’t mean there wasn’t (one), but there wasn’t enough evidence to confirm it,” he said.
An early spring low-pressure system led to a severe weather outbreak across the country’s central, southern, and eastern areas, according to the NWS. The storm spawned a handful of brief EF-0 tornadoes in Bartlett, Hanover Park and Yorkville, Castro said.
In Elgin and the surrounding area, winds exceeding 50 mph were reported, he said.
The Kane County Office of Emergency Management is seeking the public’s help in assessing storm damage to determine if the county qualifies for federal disaster assistance, county officials said.
Homeowners, renters and businesses can get more information and file a report at laserfiche.kanecountyil.gov/Forms/Tornado-Response.
Although First United at 216 E. Highland Ave. lost just part of its copper roof, the entire span will need to be replaced and damage to the building’s interior repaired. The total cost of the damage is not yet known, said Victoria Rebeck, director of communications for the Northern Illinois Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
A company that has experience with historic buildings and churches damaged by natural disasters has been hired to do the repair work, Rebeck said. They plan to use shrink wrapping instead of tarp to cover the roof in the interim to provide better weatherproofing, she said.
The church is still making repairs from a pipe burst on the building’s third floor three months ago, she added.
Last Sunday’s service was held online via Zoom but from this Sunday on they will be using recently closed Cornerstone United Methodist Church at 41W170 Russell Road, Rebeck said.
However, they’ll be able to continue the church’s ministries, like its soup kettle, at the Highland Avenue location, Rebeck said.
The church has received a lot of support from the community, she said.
“It’s been gratifying that so many of the neighbors showed interest and stopped by,” Rebeck said. “It’s meant a lot to (the congregation).”
Bishop Dan Schwerin, leader of the Northern Illinois-Wisconsin Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church, expressed gratitude for “the ways that God has brought resilience in the face of this storm from (lead pastor) Rev. Dr. Felicia LaBoy, her congregation and the connection of The United Methodist Church.
“First United Methodist Church of Elgin has been a good neighbor for many years, and their neighbors are responding in kind with the love and mutual benefit we know in Christ,” he said in a statement.
“We are so grateful that there was no loss of life. These are the moments we consider the lilies and trust that God will provide clothing for this ministry and sustaining love and power for the days ahead,” Schwerin said.
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
