Bloomington Company Aids Storm Recovery Efforts

VT Developments crews work to clear debris and help homeowners after EF1 tornadoes hit McLean County.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 1:34am

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting depicting a tornado-ravaged neighborhood in Bloomington, Illinois, with damaged homes and debris dwarfed by the overwhelming scale of the storm's aftermath, conveying a sense of the community's resilience in the face of nature's power.A community comes together to rebuild after a devastating tornado outbreak leaves a path of destruction through the Bloomington-Normal area.Bloomington Today

VT Developments, a Bloomington-based construction and property improvement company, has been working around the clock to help clean up and recover from the damage caused by several EF1 tornadoes that tore through the Bloomington-Normal area on Friday evening. Co-owner Nicole Van Gilder said crews have been assisting between 10-15 properties so far, focusing on roof damage, debris removal, and other cleanup efforts, with more work still to be done.

Why it matters

The tornadoes caused significant damage in the Bloomington-Normal area, with many homes and properties impacted. VT Developments' efforts to mobilize quickly and provide free cleanup assistance to affected residents demonstrates the importance of community support and volunteerism in the aftermath of natural disasters.

The details

VT Developments has had about 10 people, including family and staff, working at any given time over the weekend to tackle the widespread damage. They have been moving from property to property, clearing debris, repairing roof damage, and helping homeowners get their yards and homes back in order. The company has been responding to requests from residents on social media, prioritizing the areas with the worst damage, particularly on Bloomington's east side.

  • The tornadoes struck the Bloomington-Normal area on Friday evening.
  • VT Developments crews have been working from sunrise to sunset since the weekend, focusing their efforts on Saturday and Sunday.

The players

VT Developments

A Bloomington-owned construction and property improvement company that has been leading the cleanup and recovery efforts in the aftermath of the tornadoes.

Nicole Van Gilder

The co-owner of VT Developments, who has been coordinating the company's response and overseeing the cleanup work.

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What they’re saying

“So, I'm just a firm believer that you help out when you can, and where you can. This is what we could do this weekend.”

— Nicole Van Gilder, Co-owner, VT Developments

“Our biggest challenge is we can't get to everybody. There's nobody that we don't want to help. So, we're trying to get as many as we can fit.”

— Nicole Van Gilder, Co-owner, VT Developments

“So many properties that we almost can't get out of the neighborhood because the damage is so significant.”

— Nicole Van Gilder, Co-owner, VT Developments

“That's what we need to be doing all over the place. Help your neighbor, help, your friends, help the people you don't know.”

— Nicole Van Gilder, Co-owner, VT Developments

What’s next

VT Developments has not set a definite timeline for when they will complete the cleanup efforts, as they are focused on helping as many families as possible in the Bloomington-Normal area.

The takeaway

The swift and selfless response from VT Developments showcases the power of community support and volunteerism in the aftermath of natural disasters. Their efforts to mobilize quickly and provide free cleanup assistance to affected residents highlight the importance of neighbors helping neighbors during times of crisis.