Douglas County, Illinois tornadoes

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30 confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1956). Most recent: May 20, 2025, EF0. 2026 so far: 3 preliminary reports preliminary

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Every tornado path in the county

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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.

At a glance

Total301950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthApril8 of 30
StrongestF3Apr 22, 1963
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries81whole paths, see note

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

When tornadoes hit here

By month

80 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 2Apr: 8May: 8Jun: 6Jul: 0Aug: 2Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 3Dec: 1JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 8 of 30 tornadoes.

By time of day

80 12 AM: 1: 0: 03 AM: 0: 1: 16 AM: 0: 1: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 3: 8: 03 PM: 1: 1: 26 PM: 5: 3: 29 PM: 1: 0: 012 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 1:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

50 1950: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 01960: 1: 1: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 1: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01990: 3: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 4: 02000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 5: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 3: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 02020: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 119501960197019801990200020102020

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: 3 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
14
EF1
8
EF2
6
EF3
2

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.

Notable tornadoes

Strongest

F3, April 22, 1963

38.6 mile path Longest path

38.6 miles, F3

April 22, 1963, whole path Widest

1,600 yards, F3

April 22, 1963

All 30 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
May 20, 2025EF02.85 mi20 yd00
Nov 17, 2013EF14.51 mi440 yd00
Nov 17, 2013EF318.74 mi440 yd00
Nov 17, 2013EF110.54 mi440 yd00
May 31, 2006F00.1 mi30 yd00
May 31, 2006F01 mi50 yd00
May 31, 2006F00.6 mi50 yd00
May 31, 2006F00.6 mi50 yd00
May 31, 2006F00.6 mi50 yd00
Apr 20, 2004F13.9 mi50 yd00
Apr 7, 1998F00.1 mi30 yd00
Apr 7, 1998F00.3 mi30 yd00
Apr 7, 1998F00.2 mi30 yd00
Apr 7, 1998F211 mi100 yd08
Apr 26, 1994F01 mi100 yd00
Aug 16, 1993F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jun 20, 1990F28 mi100 yd00
Jun 2, 1990F00.5 mi50 yd00
May 15, 1990F00.1 mi30 yd00
Jun 2, 1987F10.7 mi50 yd00
Jun 1, 1980F21 mi10 yd07
Aug 10, 1974F111.5 mi30 yd00
Jun 6, 1974F23.3 mi10 yd00
Dec 15, 1971F111.4 mi350 yd024
Apr 22, 1963F338.6 mi1,600 yd040

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Mar 15, 20262 WSW TuscolaNot yet rated
Mar 15, 20264 ESE GarrettNot yet rated
Mar 15, 20262 SE ArthurNot 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 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.