Champaign County, IL EF2 Tornado – September 9, 2016
There were 6 tornadoes confirmed on September 9, 2016. 4 were in the state of Illinois including the strongest – an EF2 that crossed through parts of Champaign County.
Plainfield, IL F5 Tornado – August 28, 1990
It was the deadliest and most damaging tornado of 1990. An unusual, late August F5 tornado crossed just over 16 miles in less than 30 minutes across parts of Kendall and Will Counties in Illinois. It caused an estimated $165 million in damages. A total of 470 homes were destroyed and another 1000 were damaged. 29 people were killed and 350 more were injured.
Lake Mattoon, IL F3 Tornado – August 21, 1977
Two tornadoes occurred on August 21, 1977. There was an F2 in Carroll County, VA and a strong F3 that crossed through parts of Illinois. That event is the topic of this summary. Another event where I had to put on my sleuth hat!
Williamsville-Beason, IL EF3 Tornado – August 19, 2009
An outbreak of 30 tornadoes occurred on August 19, 2009. The strongest was rated EF3 and tracked just over 24 miles through parts of Sangamon and Logan Counties in Illinois.
Dixon-Joliet, IL F2 Tornado – August 15, 1958
It was a family of small tornadoes amidst straight line winds that covered a good 70 miles through parts of Lee, DeKalb, Kendall and Will Counties in Illinois on August 15, 1958. The SPC officially has this listed as one tornado with a path length of 74.5 miles. It was given a rating of F2.
Canton, IL F3 Tornado – July 23, 1975
Fujita researched this tornado family and the influence that microbursts may have had on them. Per Grazulis, “Professor Fujita’s mapping of the Canton tornado family shows how microbursts and/or other downburst-type winds move the tornado from side to side and may influence its intensity. Microburst m2 might have caused the break in the path. Otherwise the event might have been a single tornado. Microburst m6 might have caused the tornado to intensify. Both deaths were in that area.” (Grazulis, 1178)
Roanoke, IL F4 Tornado – July 13, 2004
An F4 tornado developed rapidly in a highly unstable atmosphere and devastated everything along its 9.6 mile path through Woodford County, IL on July 13, 2004. It began 1.75 miles NNE of Metamora and traveled generally in a southeasterly direction. The tornado reached F4 intensity as it crossed Route 117 and demolished the Parsons Manufacturing Plant.
Littleton-Ray, IL F3 Tornado – June 21, 1981
In the SPC Database, this tornado is listed with an 8.8 mile path passing through parts of Schuyler County. Most of the impacts were in the towns of Littleton and Ray. The Storm Data Narrative and Thomas Grazulis in Significant Tornadoes indicate this was one of a family of tornadoes that covered much more ground.
Springfield, IL F4 Tornado – June 14, 1957
Per the Storm Prediction Center Database, there were 12 tornadoes confirmed on June 14, 1957. The strongest of the day is the topic of this summary. It tracked through the southeastern part of Springfield, IL near Jerome and was later rated F4.
Raritan, IL F4 Tornado – May 13, 1995
This F4 tornado began south of Niota in Hancock County, IL and traveled 50 miles through Henderson into Warren County where it dissipated 6 miles SW of Abingdon.