The Route 66 community of Edwardsville, Illinois was heavily impacted by the wave of recent December tornados. Six people lost their lives at the Amazon warehouse in Edwardsville when the tornado hit on the night of December 10th. The City of Edwardsville held a ceremony today, December 17th, to honor the victims of the warehouse disaster.
“As we take this time to gather, we also know that it is just the beginning of a long road of healing for many families from our area,” Edwardsville Mayor Art Risavy said in a statement.
Madison County Coroner Stephen P. Nonn identified the victims as: Austin J. McEwen, 26, of Edwardsville, IL; Deandre S. Morrow 28, of St. Louis, MO; Clayton Lynn Cope, 29, of Alton, IL; Etheria S. Hebb, 34, of St. Louis, MO; Larry E. Virden, 46, of Collinsville, IL; and Kevin D. Dickey, 62, of Carlyle, Illinois.
How to help with relief funding:
The Edwardsville Community Foundation Relief Fund – donate online at www.edwardsvillecommunityfoundation.org/ or call 855-464-3223.
Salvation Army – donate at www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/.
American Red Cross – donate at www.redcross.org.
A GoFundMe page also has been established – donate online at www.gofundme.com/c/act/tornado-outbreak-fundraisers/illinois.
Edwardsville Public Works Department continues to remove storm debris from all impacted areas of the city, and will also assist those who live outside the city limits. Persons may call 618-692-7535 for assistance or resources.
Information provided is thanks to St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Belleville News-Democrat, Edwardsville Community Foundation and City of Edwardsville.
