Canton, IL F3 Tornado – July 23, 1975

Note: There was a pair of tornadoes that tracked through parts of Fulton County on this day. The first tornado caused damage to crops and some farm buildings from SW of Blyton to SE of Fiatt.

Our focus is on tornado #2, which brought significant damage to parts of Canton. Here is the Storm Data entry:

The second tornado of the pair touched down to the left of the first tornado at Fiatt. It traveled east through Canton then veered southeast before lifting about two miles northeast of Monterey.

Incredible damage occurred in the city of Canton.  One hundred twenty-seven businesses in a five-block area in the central portion of the town were damaged; some buildings were totally destroyed, others were so heavily damaged that they had to be demolished.  Residential losses were heavy: about 100 homes and 50-mile homes were destroyed; about 300 homes and 100 mobile homes were damaged.  Total losses were placed at $17-$20 million.  Two deaths occurred as the tornado ripped through the Horton’s Mobile Home Manor on the city’s east side.  Fourteen people were hospitalized, and forty-five were treated and released as a result of the tornado.

The tornado snapped utility lines to the city.  A strike by electrical workers hampered the restoration of power to the city; some areas were without power until the evening of the 28th.  All stores in the city except those selling food were required to close.  Much of the perishable food supply had to be thrown out.  Immediately after the tornado passed, the town was close to outsiders except those on official business.