What happened in Neoga?
Monday, Mar 24, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Some commenters complained on here last week that the governor hasn’t visited Neoga after its tornado earlier this month. So, I reached out to IEMA to see what the state has been doing…
On March 14, 2025, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) responded in support of the severe weather/tornado in Neoga (Cumberland County).
At 0300, the IEMA-OHS Regional Coordinator contacted the Cumberland County EMA Coordinator to assess life safety concerns and address urgent needs after reports of damage in Neoga. None were identified. A follow up phone call at 0700 offering up more assistance from the IEMA-OHS Regional Coordinator to the Cumberland County EMA Coordinator.
IEMA-OHS Region 7 coordinated mutual aid efforts with trailers from Cumberland County Fire Departments to secure valuable items in the damaged Neoga school buildings.
At daybreak, Cumberland County EMA conducted windshield surveys, confirming damage was limited to the school and four residential properties. After discussions with the IEMA-OHS Regional Coordinator and IEMA-OHS Regional Recovery Liaison, the Cumberland County EMA Coordinator opted against a formal damage assessment.
The IEMA-OHS Recovery Chief contacted the Cumberland County EMA to discuss alternative options beyond IEMA-OHS programs.
The City of Neoga did not declare a citywide disaster.
Cumberland County did not declare a countywide disaster.
Ongoing, IEMA-OHS Operations and Recovery Divisions offered ongoing support for any unmet storm-related needs in Cumberland County.
At this time, there are no outstanding needs or assistance requests reported.
Discuss.
- Alton Sinkhole - Monday, Mar 24, 25 @ 10:35 am:
“Neoga? Is that in South Carolina or New Hampshire? No? Then it’s a No-oga from me.”
-Gov Pritzker
(I kid, I kid, I love the gov - couldn’t resist though)
- Annonin' - Monday, Mar 24, 25 @ 10:48 am:
Yikes…does this suggest a slow news day or? We are discussing the lack of a gubernatorial visit to an area that had a storm —- but not enough owies to report. Perhaps we all need to go on spring break.
- Candy Dogood - Monday, Mar 24, 25 @ 10:48 am:
City & County Officials obviously feel confident in their ability to address this situation. The commenter(s) complaining about the Governor’s absence are probably unaware of the confidence of the City & County Officials.
While it is unfortunate that a public school was damaged, this is really below the level of disaster that results in a visit from a governor. There are a lot of destructive weather events that the governor doesn’t show up to visit personally.
From what I understand, this is more of a local school board issue than a governor issue. What’s the school board’s plan? That’s probably the first question the Governor would ask too.
- Lincoln Lad - Monday, Mar 24, 25 @ 11:00 am:
Gov hasn’t been to my house either, and I don’t even complain about him.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Mar 24, 25 @ 11:31 am:
===does this suggest a slow news day or?===
Nah. I bugged them for several days to get that response, so I pretty much had to post it. lol
- West Side the Best Side - Monday, Mar 24, 25 @ 11:48 am:
At least JB wasn’t spending his time winning the championship at his very own golf club. (Yeah, right, like that happened on the up and up.) Sometimes governors and presidents showing up at disaster sites just delay and distract from immediate and necessary recovery efforts.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Monday, Mar 24, 25 @ 12:23 pm:
Is that located in one of the counties that wants to move to Indiana?
- Leatherneck - Monday, Mar 24, 25 @ 12:24 pm:
Did Mr. and Mrs. Miller (no relation) appear in Neoga to help the school and the tornado victims in the last 10 days? The town is close to their backyard.
- Duck Duck Goose - Monday, Mar 24, 25 @ 12:48 pm:
We had some strong winds the other night that knocked down a number of branches on my property. I am incensed that the governor has not yet stopped by to help with the clean up. Those branches aren’t going to pick themselves up.
- thisjustinagain - Monday, Mar 24, 25 @ 12:59 pm:
Neoga is still standing, aid has been offered repeatedly, and local authorities have waved off the help due to a lack of need. Gov. can stay in Springfield on this one, after making sure the locals know State help is available if the need arises (like maybe some temporary trailers to get the school open again).
- Amalia - Monday, Mar 24, 25 @ 1:13 pm:
sounds like the commenter complaints were ridiculous based on the local evidence of not declaring a disaster and minimal damage.