advertisement

Shimkus honors Leap Day Tornado victims

U.S. Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-15) stopped by Harrisburg City Hall on Tuesday to honor the victims of the Feb. 29, 2012 Leap Day Tornado.

Shimmies presented Mayor Dale Fowler with a United States flag that he requested fly over the U.S. Capitol building on Feb. 29, 2016, to honor the memory of the victims of the 2012 tornado.

"From a tragedy, you really saw a community unite to help immediately with those in need, but also to focus on and improve the community," Shimkus said.

The tornado was a class EF4 that touched down just north of Carrier Mills, and carved a path through Harrisburg and into Ridgeway. Eight lives were lost in the tornado; Jaclyn Ferrell, 22; Lynda Hull, 73; Mary Osman, 75; R. Blaine Mauney, 74; Donna Mae Rann, 61; Randall Earl Rann, 64; Donald R. Smith, 70, and Gregory Swierk, 50. Cleanup was estimated at $5.4 million, and 604 homes and businesses were either damaged or destroyed by the 170 mph winds.

Shimkus requested that the flag be flown on Feb. 29, 2016 to mark what is referred to as the first anniversary of the tornado, as Leap Day occurs every four years.

"Having flags flown over the U.S. Capitol is kind of historic," Shimkus said. "It speaks to tragedy and resiliency…even in adversity, the flag can always wave."

"It's an honor for the congressman to recognize and present this flag to us," Fowler said. "This is a continuing statement that the lives that were lost will never be forgotten."

Fowler said that he will present the flag at the next Harrisburg City Council meeting, where the council will vote on how best to display the flag.