Galesburg Reporter

State Sen. Neil Anderson (R-Aledo) offered his support to his constituents impacted by severe weather in a Facebook post published Wednesday.

"My thoughts and prayers are with those impacted by the recent storms across the 47th District," Anderson wrote. "I support any state resources needing [to be] deployed during this time. IEMA has a 24-hour response line set up: (217) 782-7860."

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), several supercells caused a tornado to form and impact several areas on Tuesday.

"The first supercell entered Schuyler County just after 5 pm, lifting north along the Illinois River Valley toward Peoria before dissipating as it approached a stronger capped environment," the NWS report reads. "A few supercell thunderstorms that tracked between Burlington, IA, and Quincy, IL, congealed into one massive supercell, strengthening as it entered Fulton County around 7 p.m. The supercell went on to produce baseball-sized hail and a few tornadoes, one of which was a long-track EF-3 with peak winds estimated near 160 mph near Lewistown and Bryant in Fulton County. The supercell storm weakened as it moved into eastern Tazewell and Peoria counties, eventually dissipating over Woodford County due to the lack of daytime heating, which strengthened the capping inversion."

Anderson published a statement on his official website the day after the tornado hit.

“My thoughts and prayers go out to those who were impacted by the severe weather across our state and the 47th District,” said Anderson. “In a matter of moments, residents had their livelihoods turned upside down and are now figuring out how to pick up the pieces and move on from here. I am working closely with emergency management officials, and I support any state resources needed during this tragic time. I want to thank our first responders, emergency medical personnel, and weather experts for their work to help protect our state’s residents during a very chaotic time. There is no doubt, lives were saved because of their swift and selfless actions.”

The severe weather event on April 4 wasn't the only tornado that impacted the state. The NWS reported that several tornadoes spawned from a March 31 weather incident that began with severe thunderstorms. Damage was reported in Northwest, North Central, Northeast, and Southwestern Illinois.

On April 1, Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) issued a disaster proclamation allowing the Illinois Emergency Management Association (IEMA) to begin helping impacted communities and coordinate with other agencies. The proclamation includes Boone, Crawford, DuPage, Marion, and Sangamon counties.

"The devastating storms that swept through our state last night have upended communities and resulted in heartbreaking injury and loss of life," Pritzker said in a press release. "In response, I am issuing an emergency disaster proclamation to immediately provide all necessary aid to our communities. I am in close contact with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and local partners around the state to ensure every possible resource is provided to those who suffered losses or are experiencing displacement. My deepest thanks go out to the first responders and emergency officials who worked through the night and will continue to work tirelessly in the days and weeks ahead to help those affected."

Anderson has served Illinois' 47th District in the State Senate since 2015. The district currently includes portions or all of the following counties: Adams, Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Knox, Mason, McDonough, Menard, Mercer, Peoria, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Tazwell, and Warren. Anderson also works as a firefighter and paramedic in Moline.