City honors those who died in Edwardsville tornado. Here’s how you can participate

The city of Edwardsville will honor the six people who died in the tornado that hit the Amazon distribution center where they worked.

Mayor Art Risavy announced a memorial ceremony will be held beginning at 10 a.m. Friday at Governor’s Plaza, 333 South Main St. The ceremony will be moved inside the first station in the event of bad weather.

Risavy also asked that American flags in the city be flown at half-staff beginning at sunrise Wednesday morning through to sunset on Friday

“As we take this time to gather, we also know that it is just the beginning of a long road of healing for many families from our area,” Risavy said in a statement.

Madison County Coroner Stephen P. Nonn identified the victims as: Austin J. McEwen, 26, of Edwardsville, IL; Deandre S. Morrow 28, of St. Louis, MO; Clayton Lynn Cope, 29, of Alton, IL; Etheria S. Hebb, 34, of St. Louis, MO; Larry E. Virden, 46, of Collinsville, IL; and Kevin D. Dickey, 62, of Carlyle, Illinois.

How to help

Edwardsville Police Chief Michael Fillback asked that anyone who wants to make donations to the relief effort should do so through three sources: The Edwardsville Community Foundation Relief Fund (855-464-3223); Salvation Army; or the American Red Cross.

A GoFundMe page also has been established. You can find it at www.gofundme.com/c/act/tornado-outbreak-fundraisers/illinois

Go FundMe accounts also have been set up for some of the victims and some survivors.

• Austin McEwen: www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-austins-family-after-deadly-tornado
• Justin Virden: www.gofundme.com/f/2nd7wq-dads-funeral?utm
• Etheria Hebb: www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-etheria-hebb?utm
• Clayton Cope: www.gofundme.com/f/clayton-copes-final-expenses?utm

Cleanup continues

The Edwardsville Public Works Department continues to remove storm debris from other impacted areas of the city. They include: Country Club View Subdivision, which includes Country Club View Drive, Fairway Drive, Sunset Hills Drive, Birdie Court, and Eagle Court. It also will be in the the Glen Echo Subdivision, which includes Glen Echo Drive, Lockhaven Court, Camelot Drive, and Country Club Lane.

• The following restrictions apply to the removal of any debris:
• Materials that will be removed include only trees and building debris which resulted directly from the storm.
• Building materials and tree debris should be placed in separate piles near the edge of the roadway.
• Tree limbs should be cut into pieces that are 8 feet or less if possible.
• Small pieces of building debris may be included in regular trash pickup.
• City crews will not go onto private property.

The city will also assist those who live outside the city limits, a release stated. They may call 618-692-7535 for assistance or resources.

This story was originally published December 15, 2021 at 12:29 PM.