Submitted by Gail Longworth
When my family was allowed to go to what was left of our home, a place that I had lived my entire 13 years, I could not tell where my own street was, or where my best friends had lived. Houses around the lake didn't have basements, and dozens looked like they had literally been swept clean and dumped into the water. Traces of the storm were found during a drought many years later, including children's bikes and swings, personal items, and memorabilia. It was a solemn reminder of what we had all seen. The only reason many, many more people weren't killed, in addition to a young child I knew, was that Transfiguration Catholic Parish, in Wauconda, was filled to capacity with families whose children were being confirmed. I think that Island Lake should have had at least a mention in your other commentator's version of an era that is still referred to as "and after the tornado..." in this small town.
Photo from http://www.villageoftowerlakes.com/
