local
Tornado kills woman as neighbors try desperately to save her
By Devin Kidd, Debra Worley at KGNS — Sitewide
· June 23, 2026
· 2 min read
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ill. (KFVS/Gray News) - A woman died Monday when a tornado destroyed her home as her neighbor attempted to rescue her.Delores Shelton was killed when the tornado struck her Jefferson County home. Rodney Gass, who had lived next door to Shelton for 35 years, tried to reach her as...
Key takeaway Rodney Gass, who had lived next door to Shelton for 35 years, tried to reach her as the storm approached.
Why this matters in The Laredo
While the devastating tornado that claimed the life of Delores Shelton occurred in Jefferson County, Illinois, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder to Laredo residents of the importance of taking severe weather warnings seriously. In a community like Laredo, where extreme weather events can be unpredictable and destructive, it's crucial for residents to be prepared and take immediate action when warnings are issued. The fact that Shelton's neighbors, who had lived next to her for 35 years, were unable to reach her in time despite their desperate attempts, underscores the need for swift action in emergency situations. As Laredo residents reflect on this tragedy, they should take a moment to review their own emergency plans and make sure they are prepared to respond quickly in the event of a severe weather warning.
About this story
Original reporting by KGNS — Sitewide . The Laredo surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KGNS — Sitewide . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: KGNS — Sitewide ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ill. (KFVS/Gray News) - A woman died Monday when a tornado destroyed her home as her neighbor attempted to rescue her.Delores Shelton was killed when the tornado struck her Jefferson County home. Rodney Gass, who had lived next door to Shelton for 35 years, tried to reach her as...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by KGNS — Sitewide and curated for The Laredo readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Devin Kidd, Debra Worley at KGNS — Sitewide. To learn more about how The Laredo selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Laredo, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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