DeKalb County, Illinois tornadoes

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30confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1958). Most recent: July 15, 2024, EFU. 2026 so far: 0 preliminary reports preliminary

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Recent warnings in DeKalb County

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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.

The record

At a glance

Total301950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthAugust9 of 30
StrongestEF4Apr 9, 2015
Deaths2whole paths, see note
Injuries12whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

90 Jan: 0Feb: 2Mar: 0Apr: 3May: 6Jun: 5Jul: 4Aug: 9Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 1Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

August is the peak month, with 9 of 30 tornadoes.

By time of day

70 12 AM: 0: 0: 13 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 19 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 2: 1: 03 PM: 4: 5: 76 PM: 3: 2: 19 PM: 2: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 5:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

60 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 11960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 02000: 0: 1: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 1: 0: 1: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 3: 6: 0: 1: 4: 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.

By rating

EF0
17
EF1
7
EF2
2
EF4
1
Unknown
3

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

Deadliest

EF4, April 9, 2015

2 deaths, 11 injuries Strongest

EF4, April 9, 2015

30.14 mile path Longest path

74.5 miles, F2

August 15, 1958, whole path Widest

700 yards, EF4

April 9, 2015
Every tornado

All 30 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jul 15, 2024EFU1.8 mi50 yd00
Jul 14, 2024EF03.4 mi100 yd00
Feb 27, 2024EF05.39 mi175 yd00
Feb 27, 2024EFU1.3 mi120 yd00
Jul 28, 2023EF00.78 mi20 yd00
Aug 10, 2021EFU0.6 mi20 yd00
Aug 9, 2021EF00.2 mi20 yd00
Aug 9, 2021EF11.5 mi150 yd00
Aug 9, 2021EF06.8 mi50 yd00
Aug 9, 2021EF11.8 mi80 yd00
Aug 9, 2021EF00.1 mi20 yd00
Nov 10, 2020EF09.99 mi50 yd00
Aug 10, 2020EF06.28 mi40 yd00
May 23, 2020EF03.2 mi50 yd00
Apr 9, 2015EF14.01 mi100 yd00
Apr 9, 2015EF430.14 mi700 yd211
Jun 12, 2013EF12.27 mi100 yd00
May 13, 2011EF00.09 mi50 yd00
Aug 24, 2004F02.8 mi100 yd00
May 10, 2004F00.2 mi10 yd00
Jun 10, 2003F00.5 mi50 yd00
May 10, 2001F00.1 mi20 yd00
Jun 6, 1996F02 mi20 yd00
May 18, 1982F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 30, 1977F11.6 mi90 yd00
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 12, 2026.