Clay County, Illinois tornadoes

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19confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1957). Most recent: May 26, 2024, EF2. 2026 so far: 6 preliminary reports preliminary

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Map

Every tornado path in the county

Tornado paths, 1950 to 2025
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(E)F0(E)F1(E)F2(E)F3(E)F4(E)F5Unrated

Each path is a straight line from where the tornado started to where it ended, which is all most NOAA records hold. Tap a path for its details.

Recent warnings

Recent warnings in Clay County

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The record

At a glance

Total191950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthMay9 of 19
StrongestF4Jun 2, 1990
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries16whole paths, see note

Deaths and injuries are NOAA's totals for each tornado's whole path, which can extend beyond Clay County.

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

90 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 2Apr: 4May: 9Jun: 3Jul: 0Aug: 0Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 0Dec: 1JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May is the peak month, with 9 of 19 tornadoes.

By time of day

40 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 1: 06 AM: 0: 1: 19 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 0: 0: 23 PM: 1: 2: 16 PM: 4: 3: 19 PM: 0: 0: 112 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 6:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

30 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01960: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 3: 02000: 0: 0: 1: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12010: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 12020: 0: 2: 0: 0: 1: 019501960197019801990200020102020

The line is the five-year average. Tornadoes before about 1953 were under-reported, and better radar since the 1990s finds more weak ones. This year so far: 6 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
8
EF1
4
EF2
4
EF3
1
EF4
1
Unknown
1

Ratings before February 2007 use the original F scale; the numbers line up with today's EF scale. Unknown means NOAA could not assign a rating.

The record

Notable tornadoes

Strongest

F4, June 2, 1990

23 mile path Longest path

24.6 miles, F1

March 6, 1961, whole path Widest

500 yards, EF2

May 26, 2024
Every tornado

All 19 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 26, 2024EF28.26 mi500 yd00
May 27, 2021EF02.76 mi50 yd00
May 27, 2021EFU0.22 mi10 yd00
May 23, 2019EF00.73 mi20 yd00
May 25, 2011EF11 mi75 yd00
Mar 8, 2009EF25.64 mi100 yd00
May 30, 2004F00.2 mi50 yd00
May 30, 2004F00.2 mi50 yd00
May 8, 2003F00.1 mi10 yd00
Apr 27, 2002F15 mi200 yd05
Jun 14, 1998F00.1 mi30 yd00
Apr 15, 1998F216 mi130 yd00
Apr 15, 1998F29.5 mi150 yd08
Apr 19, 1996F02 mi50 yd00
Jun 2, 1990F423 mi300 yd02
Jun 8, 1974F00.1 mi10 yd00
Mar 6, 1961F124.6 mi10 yd00
May 6, 1960F11 mi100 yd00
Dec 18, 1957F319.6 mi200 yd01
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jun 21, 20262 NW OskaloosaNot yet rated
Jun 21, 20263 W IngrahamNot yet rated
Jun 21, 20262 SSW LouisvilleNot yet rated
Feb 19, 20263 NNW Bible GroveNot yet rated
Feb 19, 20261 SSE EDGEWOODNot yet rated
Feb 19, 20261 SSE EdgewoodNot yet rated

Preliminary reports from the Storm Prediction Center. One tornado can be reported more than once, and NOAA confirms the final record months later.

Nearby

Nearby counties

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Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center severe weather database, 1950 to 2025, and SPC preliminary reports for 2026. Page built October 13, 2026.