‘All I had time to say was run’: Broadview resident recalls seeing tornado moments before it hit

BROADVIEW, Ill. — The National Weather Service confirmed at least one EF-0 tornado touched down in Broadview Monday night, and one resident talked about how he saw the tornado moments before it tore off the roof of his apartment building.

The largest extent of the damage could be seen near South 25th Avenue and Roosevelt Road, where two apartment buildings could be seen with their roofs torn off by the strength of the winds in the area.

Debris also came down and landed on top of several cars parked in the lot behind the complex, which all came to a climax around 9:30 p.m.

A resident who talked to WGN News said he heard the sirens go off and decided to wake up his wife, before he walked into his bathroom and looked out the window, where he saw the tornado approaching from across the street.

“It was just debris spinning and dust. It was right on top of that dome on top of the church,” said Jonathan Orellano. “It was literally right across the street, right in front of my building. All I had time to say was run, and then the debris just fell on me in the living room.”

Orellano shared photos of the aftermath with WGN News, revealing open skies seen through the roof of his top story apartment, debris scattered around the apartment complex, and damage to his son’s car from flying debris.

According to the American Red Cross, some 20 families were displaced between the two buildings affected and they are working to find shelter for those families, while those who lived on the top floor of the apartment complexes are still unable to get back inside their apartments, as of 5:30 p.m. Tuesday evening.

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