Federal Help Now Available for Lena Tornado Victims

If you or someone you know suffered damage from the EF-2 tornado that hit the Lena, Illinois area on April 17, and have repair costs that insurance won't cover, federal agents have arrived to help.

Lena Strong

Living in Pecatonica, I saw firsthand just how devastating the April 17 tornado damage in Lena really was.

Some parts of Lena were untouched by the tornado's path, while other areas saw devastating damage. Trees were ripped apart, homes were destroyed, cars were crushed, and entire properties looked completely different.

The one thing that stood out more than the destruction, however, was the way Lena and surrounding communities immediately stepped up to help those in need.

People from Pecatonica, Freeport, Rockford, and other nearby towns showed up with chainsaws, work gloves, trailers, food, water, trucks and whatever else they could offer. It was a powerful reminder of how strong small-town communities are, and how very proud I am to be part of one.

Unfortunately, while the cleanup may look far better now than it did in those first few days, many Stateline area residents are still facing major financial hurdles. Dealing with insurance companies can be a nightmare, and some families are discovering just how expensive storm recovery can be.

Federal Assistance Available for Tornado Victims

Right now, representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration are in Lena offering low-interest disaster recovery loans to not only small businesses affected by the tornado, but residents as well.

According to Eyewitness News:

Jim Accurso, a Public Affairs Specialist for the SBA, highlighted that federal government assistance is available for residents. He clarified that these are not bank loans, but rather loans directly from the U.S. Treasury, which repurposes tax dollars to assist those affected.

SBA representatives will be at the Legion Hall in Lena through June 2 to walk residents through the loan application process, and to answer questions about eligibility.

Please, if you or someone you know is still struggling with storm-related damage in the Lena area, it’s definitely worth checking to see if you qualify for assistance. Sometimes asking for help is the first step toward finally moving forward.