Jan Appel of Carroll County, Illinois knew the storm that came through Sunday night was different by the way the wind was blowing.
“I looked out the window and I said ‘oh I don't think we are going to like what's outside’ and I decided it was time to go to the basement,” Jan says.
Jan says in what seemed like just seconds, the roof of her machine shed was gone. Luckily for the three generation farm family, all the machinery in those sheds were unharmed.
The machine shed was the main concern until she realized it wasn't the only place hit. Jan had no idea until the following morning that the storm had ripped off the back side of her barn as well.
The wind blew this piece of the roof off and blew other pieces 3/4 of a mile away.
“That's the way the wind acts,” she says. “You have no control over anything.”
The Appel family does have insurance and plans to start rebuilding. Over 15 different neighbors and family members came over to help with the clean-up process.
“It's been busy. Everyone always works together when there is a disaster no matter where you're at; it’s nice to have them here.”