local
Tornado kills woman as neighbors try desperately to save her
By Devin Kidd, Debra Worley at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· June 23, 2026
· 1 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...
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The devastating loss of Delores Shelton in Jefferson County, Illinois, serves as a stark reminder to Atlanta residents of the importance of taking severe weather warnings seriously. While this tragedy occurred outside of our local area, the risks associated with tornadoes are all too real for those living in the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is no stranger to severe weather events. As the city's residents reflect on this incident, they should be mindful of the need for prompt action when warnings are issued, as mere seconds can be the difference between life and death. The urgent pleas from Rodney Gass to heed warnings and take immediate action when alarms sound should resonate with Atlantans, who must remain vigilant and prepared for the unexpected. By taking warnings seriously and having a plan in place, residents can minimize their risk and stay safe in the face of severe weather.
About this story
Original reporting by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . The Atlanta 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 Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News ·
Reading time: 1 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 Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Devin Kidd, Debra Worley at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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