Less than a month after the federal government declared a disaster following the “most prolific tornado event” to hit the Chicago area in recorded history, more than $50.6 million in FEMA assistance has been issued to residents affected by the storms.
More than $24 million of the total was housing grants for home repair, replacement and temporary housing assistance; the other $26.5 million has been directed toward personal property replacement, moving and storage fees, transportation, childcare and medical and dental expenses.
More than $1.6 million in long-term, low-interest disaster loans have also been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration for homeowners and renters.
Storms on July 14 produced nine tornadoes followed by more than 30 the next day. In all, a total of 41 tornadoes were confirmed to have occurred within 36 hours, breaking the record for the most tornadoes reported in a single event, the National Weather Service said. The storms, along with their damaging winds of 60 mph to 100 mph, led the National Weather Service to analyze more than 1,500 damage reports.
John O’Hearnahan helps clear a tree July 16 from a road near Huron and Leavitt streets in West Town.
It beat the previous single-day high of 22 tornadoes, set during storms in 2023 and 2024, though officials have noted tornado detection technology has improved in recent years and may detect more than might have been confirmed in past years.
Cook, Fulton, Henry, St. Clair, Washington, Will and Winnebago county residents who were affected by the storm have until Nov. 19 to apply for the assistance. They can do so online, by calling (800) 621-3362 or by using the FEMA app.