Will Cook County News

A WCCN original story, written by Claude Martinez. 

Midlothian — As storms swept through the Chicagoland area this week, Midlothian was among the communities hit hard by the severe weather. The storm left a trail of downed trees and power lines throughout the Village, creating hazards for residents and damaging areas around the community.

On Tuesday, August 11, WCCN was on the ground documenting the storm’s impact. Outside Kolmar School at 4500 W. 143rd St., downed trees blocked the walkway. The trees were removed the following day, clearing the path for residents and students.

The storm also caused significant damage at Memorial Park, located at 145th St. and Homan Ave., and Howie Minas Field. Several branches were knocked down, blocking the park’s main walking path, while one of the dugouts lost its roof. Additional branches fell near the construction area on the southwest side of the park.

At Howie Minas Field on the northwest side of the park, a power line had fallen to the ground and was still energized. Sounds and sparks could be seen coming from the line as a Midlothian police officer was posted to monitor the dangerous situation.

The storm’s impact extended beyond the parks. Local residents told WCCN that they had lost power and were unsure when it would be restored. Some residents were also dealing with damage to their homes, including tree limbs that had fallen onto roofs. In a few cases, entire trees came crashing down onto homes, leaving residents to deal with significant property damage in the aftermath of the storm.

During the regular Midlothian Board meeting held on August 12, Superintendent of Public Works Tye Swanson talked about the cleanup efforts.

“It’s just gut-wrenching to see a tree laying on the side of your house, and we’re working diligently to remove as much debris as safely as possible,” stated Swanson. “We have our whole staff out for cleanup efforts, and workers are staying until eight o’clock every night until we get caught up.”

Swanson added, “Normally, we only pick up the branches from parkway trees, but because of this emergency situation, we’re going to extend it out… If you have trees in your backyard that fell over, pull them out to the parkway, and we will come by and get them.”

“It’s going to take a long time, so please be patient.”

On August 13, the Mayor of Midlothian, Gary L’Heureux, released a press release on Facebook at 5:46 p.m., saying that the Village understands the consequences of the storm damage but wants residents to know that they need to look out for one another.

“We understand that some families may be dealing with property damage, power outages, debris, or other storm-related hardships,” wrote Gary L’Heureux. “Please take care of yourself and your neighbors, and avoid downed power lines, damaged structures, and other hazardous areas.”

L’Heureux added “Residents affected by the storms who need assistance with emergency needs, food, shelter, cleanup resources, or recovery support are encouraged to contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-RedCross. The Red Cross can help connect affected individuals and families with available disaster-relief resources.”

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To view some of the storm damage in Midlothian, watch the short reel below on YouTube, Facebook or Instagram.

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