- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Aroma Park Today
By the People, for the People
Kankakee County Reels from Destructive EF-3 Tornado
Strong winds on Friday hamper cleanup efforts after Tuesday's severe storm
Mar. 13, 2026 at 11:20am
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
A powerful EF-3 tornado ripped through Kankakee County, Illinois on Tuesday, leaving behind significant damage and one confirmed fatality. With over 500 buildings damaged and 30 homes completely destroyed, the community is now facing additional challenges from strong winds on Friday that are impacting the ongoing cleanup efforts.
Why it matters
The tornado caused widespread destruction in Kankakee County, a region that has already faced its share of severe weather in recent years. The high winds on Friday are further complicating the recovery process, underscoring the resilience required of communities to bounce back from such devastating natural disasters.
The details
The EF-3 tornado, with peak winds of 150 mph, tore through the Aroma Park area of Kankakee County on Tuesday, damaging 500 buildings and completely destroying 30 homes. Officials have confirmed one fatality from the storm. On Wednesday, Kankakee County declared a state of emergency due to the severity of the damage. The Kankakee School District 111 remains closed on Friday as the community works to provide meals and essential supplies to those in need.
- The tornado struck Kankakee County on Tuesday, March 11, 2026.
- A High Wind Warning remains in effect until 4 p.m. on Friday, March 13, 2026.
The players
Kankakee County
The county in Illinois that was hit by the destructive EF-3 tornado on Tuesday.
Mike Downey
The Kankakee County Sheriff who declared a state of emergency due to the severity of the storm damage.
Kankakee School District 111
The school district that remains closed on Friday as the community works to provide meals and essential supplies to those in need.
What’s next
The Kankakee County community will continue its cleanup efforts in the coming days and weeks, with the school district working to support affected families.
The takeaway
The tornado in Kankakee County serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact severe weather can have on communities, and the resilience required to recover from such events. The ongoing challenges posed by the strong winds highlight the need for comprehensive disaster preparedness and response plans to help communities bounce back stronger than before.
