Cary declares state of emergency across northwest suburban village following powerful storms
'We thought it was a thunderstorm, and it was clearly a lot more than that,' said Anie Fini, a Cary resident. 'I was at the grocery store [and] saw the clouds. By the time I got to the door to leave, we weren't allowed to leave. They said stay back, and we watched the storm.'
Fini told WGN-TV news she came home to a variety of storm damage. Amongst the aftermath, she found her neighbor's tree had fallen in her yard, and some of the branches were now hanging from the power lines.
'There's a bunch on the sidewalks,' Fini said. 'I know people—homeowners and tree workers—everyone is working around the clock to help clean up our yards and the streets.'
Heavy rain and strong winds caused widespread flooding throughout the area. The elements also knocked over trees and brought power lines down across the community.
According to the Cary Fire Protection District, firefighters responded to nearly 100 calls as storms ravaged the area. They said the hardest-hit areas were in and around downtown Cary, where homes, businesses, and roadways sustained wind damage, flooding, and utility-related emergencies.
It is unclear when the state of emergency will be lifted, but village officials announced brush cleanup will begin the week of Aug. 25.
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