Effingham County, Illinois tornadoes

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27confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1959). Most recent: April 30, 2025, EFU. 2026 so far: 8 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 Effingham County

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The record

At a glance

Total271950 to 2025
Per year0.4average since 1950
Peak monthApril10 of 27
StrongestF3Mar 6, 1961
Deaths2whole paths, see note
Injuries8whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

100 Jan: 0Feb: 1Mar: 2Apr: 10May: 7Jun: 2Jul: 2Aug: 1Sep: 1Oct: 0Nov: 1Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 10 of 27 tornadoes.

By time of day

50 12 AM: 1: 1: 13 AM: 0: 1: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 1: 3: 33 PM: 1: 2: 36 PM: 5: 2: 19 PM: 1: 1: 012 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: 0: 0: 11960: 2: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11990: 1: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 12000: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 0: 1: 02020: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 319501960197019801990200020102020

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: 8 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
8
EF1
8
EF2
7
EF3
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

F0, May 1, 1983

2 deaths, 0 injuries Strongest

F3, March 6, 1961

21.2 mile path Longest path

21.9 miles, F2

April 17, 1960, whole path Widest

200 yards, F2

April 17, 1960
Every tornado

All 27 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Apr 30, 2025EFU1.73 mi30 yd00
Apr 2, 2025EF18.31 mi100 yd00
Apr 2, 2025EF12.55 mi125 yd00
May 6, 2021EFU0.06 mi10 yd00
May 6, 2021EFU0.06 mi10 yd00
Apr 3, 2018EF218.2 mi100 yd00
Apr 27, 2016EF00.05 mi10 yd00
Feb 20, 2014EF11.54 mi100 yd00
Nov 17, 2013EF211.4 mi200 yd00
Apr 16, 2006F24 mi200 yd00
Jun 1, 1999F00.2 mi10 yd00
May 2, 1998F00.1 mi30 yd00
Apr 26, 1994F26 mi50 yd03
Jul 2, 1993F00.4 mi33 yd00
May 16, 1990F110 mi100 yd00
May 25, 1989F10.2 mi50 yd00
Apr 27, 1984F00.3 mi30 yd00
Apr 12, 1984F00.3 mi10 yd00
May 1, 1983F00.2 mi30 yd20
Aug 10, 1974F00.1 mi10 yd00
Jul 1, 1973F10.1 mi10 yd00
May 15, 1967F10.5 mi20 yd00
Sep 24, 1961F10.3 mi50 yd00
Mar 6, 1961F321.2 mi10 yd03
Jun 22, 1960F20.1 mi10 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jun 17, 20262 SW MontroseNot yet rated
Jun 17, 20261.5 NW DieterichNot yet rated
Jun 17, 20263 ESE ShumwayNot yet rated
Jun 17, 20261 WNW Beecher CityNot yet rated
Feb 19, 20264 N Bible GroveNot yet rated
Feb 19, 2026MasonNot yet rated
Feb 19, 2026MasonNot yet rated
Feb 19, 20263 ESE MasonNot 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.