"I survived a tornado, but my house did not." - Emily LaVoie

On March 10th, 2026, an EF-3 tornado tore through the Oakwoods neighborhood along the Kankakee River, altering lives in a matter of two minutes. In this episode of This One Time in Kankakee, host Jake LaMore sits down with long-time local resident and business owner Emily LaVoie to hear her harrowing story of survival, loss, and recovery. After previously rebuilding her riverfront home from microburst damage, Emily found herself facing complete destruction when the March 10th storm ripped away her roof, walls, and belongings—and claimed the life of her cherished neighbor, Maurice. Emily shares what it was like huddled in her basement as the vortex hit, the surreal sight of open sky where her ceiling used to be, and the complex, ongoing "numbers war" with insurance, appraisers, and FEMA flood plain regulations four months later. While the storm has passed, the recovery effort in Kankakee County is far from over. Many families are still in the early stages of rebuilding their homes and lives. How You Can Help: Donations are urgently needed to assist local residents with long-term recovery. Please consider donating to the United Way of Kankakee and Iroquois Counties Emergency Response Fund at myunitedway.org. This One Time in Kankakee is a production of the WVLI Podcast Network. Send us Fan Mail Want more from the WVLI Podcast Network? Listen to the WVLI News Update with Rob West every weekday morning! Get the days local news from the greater Kankakee County, IL area in 10 minutes or less.  Subscribe now on your preferred podcast platform: https://wvlinewsupdate.buzzsprout.com The Voices You Trust, Beyond The Dial.