Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 7 hours ago
On August 11 of 2026, Lansing, IL, was struck by a derecho that also spawned a couple of tornadoes. The Lansing Journal reported onsite to keep people informed and connected. We used Facebook Live to provide quick updates. Facebook deletes these videos after 30 days, and we want to keep them because they are an important record of this historic storm and Lansing's response. So this video is a compiled collection of the Facebook Lives from August 11 and the week or so following:
0:00 - Introduction by Melanie Jongsma
Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026:
2:45 - Hours after the storm, Meredith Shamburger and Melanie Jongsma report from Forest View Lane on the west edge of Lansing
Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026:
8:29 - On location at La Rosita (3315 Ridge Road), which suffered a power outage, Melanie helps inform the public that owner Josefina Murguia is giving away produce and other perishables
13:58 - Later that morning, after meeting with Mayor Hardy, Melanie provides some updates from Village Hall.
17:30 - That same afternoon, Meredith and Melanie let the community know the Salvation Army has arrived to give away meals.
19:29 - Just 90 minutes later, Melanie updates people to say the Salvation Army will run out of meals sooner than first anticipated.
Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026:
20:20 - Near a newly toppled streetlight, Melanie reminds viewers that conditions are still dangerous.
22:31 - Lansing's American Legion, having lost power, offers free frozen pizzas to the community.
23:36 - With flashing lights behind her, Melanie informs people about a free meal giveaway at Village Hall and encourages safety while driving.
Friday, Aug. 14, 2026:
24:35 - Melanie shares information she recently learned about items in the ComEd Emergency Kit.
27:26 - Gov. JB Pritzker visits the Schultz Park neighborhood of Lansing to survey the damage.
33:26 - For the second time in three weeks, Illinois Senator Elgie Sims offers encouragement to Lansing residents impacted by storms.
34:41 - Melanie relays information from the Peaches Power crews on Oakwood Avenue.
Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026:
37:50 - Melanie reports the flood warnings issued by the National Weather Service.
39:45 - Having walked through the Oakwood Estates neighborhood, Melanie provides an update on power outages.
42:38 - Meredith Shamburger shares the updates she's received from ComEd on their plans to restore power to the Schultz Park neighborhood.
46:18 - Melanie stops by Kdulche Cafe, where staff are preparing to-go soups to give away to people still without power.
48:27 - Meredith shows tree removal crews working to clear downed trees from power lines.
Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026:
49:20 - Melanie offers some reasons that it is taking so long to restore power to Schultz Park.
52:42 - Having been bitten mercilessly by swarms of mosquitos, Melanie offers a home remedy to relieve the itch.
The press conference:
54:06 - In preparation for a press conference called by Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly regarding relief funds, Melanie offers context to viewers.
01:39:00 - At the Lansing Municipal Airport Miller, Kelly, and mayors from the Chicago southland hold a press conference scheduled to start at 11 a.m.
01:25:44 - Around 11:20 a.m., the press conference actually begins.
01:26:25 - Commissioner Miller welcomes attendees.
01:31:02 - Representative Kelly thanks attendees.
01:33:20 - Lynwood Mayor Jada Curry speaks.
01:36:45 - Lansing Mayor Brian Hardy speaks.
01:40:03 - Flossmoor Mayor Michelle Nelson speaks.
01:43:07 - Homewood Mayor Rich Hofeld speaks.
01:44:09 - University Park Mayor Joseph Roudez speaks.
01:45:57 - Glenwood Mayor Toleda Hart speaks.
01:48:33 - Park Forest Mayor Joseph Woods speaks.
01:51:06 - Dolton Mayor Jason House speaks.
01:52:28 - Richton Park Mayor Rick Reinbold speaks.
01:53:33 - Donna Miller allows the members of the press to ask questions.
01:54:03 - Melanie Jongsma from The Lansing Journal asks a question that Robin Kelly and Marcus Evans answer.
01:54:49 - Eric Crump from the Homewood-Flossmoor Chronicle asks a question that Jada Curry and Donna Miller answer.
01:56:08 - An unidentified man asks a question that Robin Kelly answers.
01:57:12 - Eric Crump asks a question that Robin Kelly and Marcus Evans answer.
01:58:43 - Donna Miller adjourns the press conference.
01:59:35 - Melanie Jongsma offers some closing thoughts.
Later that evening:
02:00:20 - Melanie shares her conflicted emotions about leaving Lansing for a few days.
Monday, Aug. 17, 2026
02:03:12 - Carole Sharwarko shares some updates from ComEd about the few remaining spots in Lansing where power has not yet been restored.
Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026
02:05:34 - Back from the conference, Melanie reports on the progress she sees.
Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026
02:09:14 - Melanie reveals that The Lansing Journal is planning to publish a print edition featuring the community's extraordinary response to the storms of July and August.
On August 11 of 2026, Lansing, IL, was struck by a derecho that also spawned a couple of tornadoes. The Lansing Journal reported onsite to keep people informed and connected. We used Facebook Live to provide quick updates. Facebook deletes these videos after 30 days, and we want to keep them because they are an important record of this historic storm and Lansing's response. So this video is a compiled collection of the Facebook Lives from August 11 and the week or so following:
0:00 - Introduction by Melanie Jongsma
Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026:
2:45 - Hours after the storm, Meredith Shamburger and Melanie Jongsma report from Forest View Lane on the west edge of Lansing
Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026:
8:29 - On location at La Rosita (3315 Ridge Road), which suffered a power outage, Melanie helps inform the public that owner Josefina Murguia is giving away produce and other perishables
13:58 - Later that morning, after meeting with Mayor Hardy, Melanie provides some updates from Village Hall.
17:30 - That same afternoon, Meredith and Melanie let the community know the Salvation Army has arrived to give away meals.
19:29 - Just 90 minutes later, Melanie updates people to say the Salvation Army will run out of meals sooner than first anticipated.
Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026:
20:20 - Near a newly toppled streetlight, Melanie reminds viewers that conditions are still dangerous.
22:31 - Lansing's American Legion, having lost power, offers free frozen pizzas to the community.
23:36 - With flashing lights behind her, Melanie informs people about a free meal giveaway at Village Hall and encourages safety while driving.
Friday, Aug. 14, 2026:
24:35 - Melanie shares information she recently learned about items in the ComEd Emergency Kit.
27:26 - Gov. JB Pritzker visits the Schultz Park neighborhood of Lansing to survey the damage.
33:26 - For the second time in three weeks, Illinois Senator Elgie Sims offers encouragement to Lansing residents impacted by storms.
34:41 - Melanie relays information from the Peaches Power crews on Oakwood Avenue.
Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026:
37:50 - Melanie reports the flood warnings issued by the National Weather Service.
39:45 - Having walked through the Oakwood Estates neighborhood, Melanie provides an update on power outages.
42:38 - Meredith Shamburger shares the updates she's received from ComEd on their plans to restore power to the Schultz Park neighborhood.
46:18 - Melanie stops by Kdulche Cafe, where staff are preparing to-go soups to give away to people still without power.
48:27 - Meredith shows tree removal crews working to clear downed trees from power lines.
Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026:
49:20 - Melanie offers some reasons that it is taking so long to restore power to Schultz Park.
52:42 - Having been bitten mercilessly by swarms of mosquitos, Melanie offers a home remedy to relieve the itch.
The press conference:
54:06 - In preparation for a press conference called by Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly regarding relief funds, Melanie offers context to viewers.
01:39:00 - At the Lansing Municipal Airport Miller, Kelly, and mayors from the Chicago southland hold a press conference scheduled to start at 11 a.m.
01:25:44 - Around 11:20 a.m., the press conference actually begins.
01:26:25 - Commissioner Miller welcomes attendees.
01:31:02 - Representative Kelly thanks attendees.
01:33:20 - Lynwood Mayor Jada Curry speaks.
01:36:45 - Lansing Mayor Brian Hardy speaks.
01:40:03 - Flossmoor Mayor Michelle Nelson speaks.
01:43:07 - Homewood Mayor Rich Hofeld speaks.
01:44:09 - University Park Mayor Joseph Roudez speaks.
01:45:57 - Glenwood Mayor Toleda Hart speaks.
01:48:33 - Park Forest Mayor Joseph Woods speaks.
01:51:06 - Dolton Mayor Jason House speaks.
01:52:28 - Richton Park Mayor Rick Reinbold speaks.
01:53:33 - Donna Miller allows the members of the press to ask questions.
01:54:03 - Melanie Jongsma from The Lansing Journal asks a question that Robin Kelly and Marcus Evans answer.
01:54:49 - Eric Crump from the Homewood-Flossmoor Chronicle asks a question that Jada Curry and Donna Miller answer.
01:56:08 - An unidentified man asks a question that Robin Kelly answers.
01:57:12 - Eric Crump asks a question that Robin Kelly and Marcus Evans answer.
01:58:43 - Donna Miller adjourns the press conference.
01:59:35 - Melanie Jongsma offers some closing thoughts.
Later that evening:
02:00:20 - Melanie shares her conflicted emotions about leaving Lansing for a few days.
Monday, Aug. 17, 2026
02:03:12 - Carole Sharwarko shares some updates from ComEd about the few remaining spots in Lansing where power has not yet been restored.
Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026
02:05:34 - Back from the conference, Melanie reports on the progress she sees.
Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026
02:09:14 - Melanie reveals that The Lansing Journal is planning to publish a print edition featuring the community's extraordinary response to the storms of July and August.
