MONTROSE, Ill. (WAND) - A tornado tore through a home just west of Montrose in Effingham County Wednesday night, devastating the property.
"Never in 49 years have I seen anything like this," said Doug Krone, the owner of the home.
The storm destroyed the only home Krone has ever known, ripping across the property and leveling nearly everything in its path.
"I wasn't too worried at first. Then my niece called, and that's when I got off the loveseat, looked to the northwest, saw the funnel cloud and said, 'We gotta go.'"
Krone, his wife, and their 17-month-old child rushed into the home’s storm cellar as the tornado approached. It turned out to be the only safe place on the property.
"It felt like just a few seconds and it was done," Krone said.
Those few seconds caused extensive damage. Coffee cups, luggage and even jars of jam from the cupboard could be seen scattered across the yard in the aftermath.
"I don't even know where to begin," Krone told WAND News. "You come out and everything that's been built here and has been here for a long time is now gone."
Despite the destruction, Krone quickly saw a reminder of the strength of his community. Neighbors, including some he had never met, came to help with the cleanup effort.
"That's what this community is about," he said, holding back tears. "They come together when people need them."
Krone said he doesn't know how much it will cost to clean up and rebuild, but has been in contact with his insurance company.
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