State history
Tornadoes in Illinois
Illinois averages 54 tornadoes per year. Here is the complete history.
The stats
- Average: 54 tornadoes/year.
- Peak season: April-June.
- Population and vulnerability considerations.
- Regional patterns.
- Community awareness.
- Skywarn active.
Notable events
- 1917 Mattoon F4 — 101 dead.
- 1925 Tri-State impact — Southern IL devastation.
- 1948 Bunker Hill F4 — 33 dead.
- 1957 Fargo IL F4 — 20+ dead.
- 1967 Belvidere F4 — 24 dead.
- 1990 Plainfield F5 — 29 dead.
- 2004 Roanoke F4 — twin tornado filmed.
- 2013 November 17 outbreak — multiple events.
Major cities
Chicago metro
9M+. Occasional events.
Rockford
150k. Multiple events.
Peoria
110k. Central IL.
Springfield
115k. Capital.
Champaign-Urbana
University town.
Bloomington
Central IL.
NWS coverage
NWS Chicago
Northern IL.
NWS Central Illinois (Lincoln)
Central IL.
NWS St. Louis
Southern IL.
NWS Paducah KY
Far southern IL.
Chase community
- Regional chasers active.
- Multi-state coordination.
- Documentation of events.
- Public safety focus.
- Community involvement.
- Skywarn integration.
Preparedness
- Weather radio.
- WEA enabled.
- Family communication plan.
- Community shelter awareness.
- Storm shelter installation.
- Insurance current.
- Regular drills.
- Emergency contact list.
Vulnerabilities
- Population distribution.
- Building code enforcement.
- Mobile home density in specific areas.
- Community shelter access.
- Rural coverage gaps.
- Historical vulnerabilities.
For residents
- Preparedness essential.
- Local NWS office familiarity.
- Community engagement.
- Multi-hazard awareness.
- Family plan.
- Insurance verification.
- Ongoing education.