Tornado History

Illinois Tornado History

This page summarizes tornado history for Illinois. The local dataset contains 3,340 tornado records from 1950 through 2026, with a strongest listed rating of F5 (Incredible damage) and at least $3.1B in reported property damage. The latest tornado record in this group is February 19, 2026. Across these records, NOAA lists 230 deaths and 4,436 injuries.

Want to check tornado history for a specific address?Use the address lookup to see nearby historical tornado tracks, dates, ratings, and distance from the location.

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3,340recorded tornadoes
F5 (Incredible damage)highest rating
$3.1Bminimum property damage
February 19, 2026latest tornado
110.2 milongest listed path
2630 ydwidest listed path

Historical Track Sketch

F5 August 28, 19901990F5 December 18, 19571957F5 August 28, 19901990EF4 November 17, 20132013F4 May 29, 19821982F4 April 21, 19671967F4 April 21, 19671967F4 April 3, 19811981F4 January 7, 19891989EF4 May 16, 20252025F4 May 6, 20032003EF4 April 9, 20152015F4 May 13, 19951995F4 May 6, 20032003F4 February 25, 1956F4 February 25, 1956F4 June 14, 1957F4 December 18, 1957F4 December 18, 1957F4 December 18, 1957F4 December 18, 1957F4 April 17, 1963F4 April 21, 1967F4 April 21, 1967F4 June 13, 1976F4 March 20, 1976F4 March 20, 1976F4 March 20, 1976F4 March 20, 1976F4 May 5, 1977F4 May 5, 1977F4 March 29, 1981F4 June 2, 1990F4 June 2, 1990F4 June 2, 1990F4 June 2, 1990EF4 February 29, 2012EF4 February 29, 2012F4 February 10, 1959F4 April 21, 1967F4 June 13, 1976F4 June 29, 1976F4 June 2, 1990F4 June 2, 1990F4 June 2, 1990F4 June 2, 1990F4 April 11, 1965F4 April 11, 1965F4 July 13, 2004EF4 November 17, 2013EF3 December 1, 2018EF3 November 17, 2013F3 April 9, 1953F3 April 9, 1953F3 July 23, 1975F3 April 2, 1982F3 December 2, 1982F3 May 1, 1983F3 November 19, 1991F3 March 27, 1991F3 March 27, 1991F3 March 27, 1991EF3 November 17, 2013EF3 June 22, 2015F3 April 8, 1999EF3 December 31, 2010EF3 August 19, 2009F3 May 9, 1995F3 April 19, 1996F3 May 10, 2003F3 April 19, 1996F3 April 19, 1996EF3 April 9, 2015EF3 August 19, 2009EF3 February 28, 2017EF3 November 17, 2013F3 April 28, 2002EF3 December 10, 2021F3 May 13, 1995F3 April 21, 2002© OpenStreetMap contributors

Rating Breakdown

  • F5 (Incredible damage)3
  • F4 (Devastating damage)41
  • EF4 (Devastating damage)6
  • F3 (Severe damage)121
  • EF3 (Severe damage)27
  • F2 (Considerable damage)360
  • EF2 (Considerable damage)137
  • F1 (Moderate damage)570
  • EF1 (Moderate damage)525
  • F0 (Light damage)804
  • EF0 (Light damage)572
  • Unknown rating33
  • Unknown rating141

Most Active Years

  • 2024174
  • 2023145
  • 2006144
  • 2025141
  • 2003132
  • 1974111
  • 1998104
  • 200486

Notable Tornado Records

The table highlights the strongest and most damaging records in this page's local dataset. Damage totals are NOAA-reported minimum estimates where available.

DateRatingAreaLengthWidthDeathsInjuriesMin. property damage
August 28, 1990F5Will, Illinois11.2 mi600 yd29350$250.0M
December 18, 1957F5Perry, Illinois5.4 mi200 yd16$250K
August 28, 1990F5Kendall, Illinois5.2 mi600 yd00$250K
November 17, 2013EF4Tazewell, Illinois14.16 mi880 yd3121$910.0M
May 29, 1982F4Williamson, Illinois17 mi400 yd10181$250.0M
April 21, 1967F4Cook, Illinois15 mi200 yd33500$25.0M
April 21, 1967F4McHenry, Illinois14 mi1200 yd040$25.0M
April 3, 1981F4Madison, Illinois11.9 mi567 yd032$25.0M
January 7, 1989F4Wabash, Illinois7 mi200 yd050$25.0M
May 16, 2025EF4Williamson, Illinois16.28 mi900 yd07$25.0M
May 6, 2003F4Massac, Illinois14 mi1000 yd120$10.0M
April 9, 2015EF4Ogle, Illinois20.94 mi700 yd00$10.0M

Want to check a home, business, or exact property?Search any address to compare nearby historical tornado tracks against that specific location.

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Source And Limits

Data source: NOAA/NCEI. TornadoTrace summarizes historical records for screening and research. Coordinates, damage estimates, narratives, and event details can be approximate, incomplete, revised, or missing. Do not use this page as legal, insurance, engineering, real estate, emergency management, or safety advice.