BELVIDERE, IL – An EF-1 tornado has been confirmed to be the cause of a roof collapse at the Apollo Theatre in Belvidere, Illinois, resulting in one fatality and 40 injuries during a sold-out concert on Friday night.
The National Weather Service in Chicago reported Saturday evening that the tornado tracked nearly 28 miles across portions of Ogle, Winnebago, and Boone counties, with peak winds of 100 MPH and a max width of 900 yards.
Around 260 people were inside the theater to see metal bands Morbid Angel, Revocation, and Skeletal Remains, scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
The theater’s marquee and facade collapsed onto State Street, littering the area with bricks and debris. Fellow concert-goers attempted to rescue the 50-year-old man who died by pulling him from debris that landed on him.
The Belvidere community is mourning the loss of their fellow resident and sending their thoughts and prayers to those who were injured in the tragedy.
