Kankakee County, Illinois tornadoes

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61confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1950). Most recent: July 15, 2024, EF1. 2026 so far: 5 preliminary reports preliminary

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Recent warnings in Kankakee 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

Total611950 to 2025
Per year0.8average since 1950
Peak monthJune26 of 61
StrongestF4Apr 17, 1963
Deaths4whole paths, see note
Injuries114whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

260 Jan: 1Feb: 0Mar: 5Apr: 11May: 9Jun: 26Jul: 6Aug: 1Sep: 1Oct: 0Nov: 1Dec: 0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June is the peak month, with 26 of 61 tornadoes.

By time of day

160 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 16 AM: 0: 0: 19 AM: 0: 0: 112 PM: 2: 7: 03 PM: 5: 5: 76 PM: 4: 3: 39 PM: 16: 4: 212 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM

Most often around 9:00 PM. Times as recorded by NOAA, mostly Central Standard Time.

By year, 1950 to 2025

110 1950: 1: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 0: 01960: 2: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 11970: 0: 0: 0: 1: 1: 0: 1: 0: 1: 01980: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 1: 2: 0: 0: 0: 1: 2: 0: 0: 02000: 2: 0: 0: 1: 3: 0: 1: 1: 1: 22010: 3: 2: 0: 2: 11: 2: 1: 0: 0: 02020: 1: 0: 0: 4: 5: 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: 5 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
20
EF1
27
EF2
6
EF3
4
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

F4, April 17, 1963

1 deaths, 70 injuries Strongest

F4, April 17, 1963

57.3 mile path Longest path

57.3 miles, F4

April 17, 1963, whole path Widest

750 yards, F3

April 2, 1982
Every tornado

All 61 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jul 15, 2024EF12.6 mi100 yd00
Jul 15, 2024EF012.3 mi275 yd00
Apr 2, 2024EF00.52 mi25 yd00
Apr 2, 2024EFU0.65 mi10 yd00
Apr 2, 2024EF04.6 mi50 yd00
Jul 28, 2023EF15.51 mi90 yd00
Jul 28, 2023EF06.07 mi350 yd00
May 7, 2023EFU0.97 mi50 yd00
May 7, 2023EFU0.21 mi50 yd00
Aug 10, 2020EF01.47 mi150 yd00
Jul 17, 2016EF12.16 mi100 yd00
Jun 22, 2015EF01.02 mi50 yd00
Jun 22, 2015EF12.24 mi300 yd00
Jun 30, 2014EF11.6 mi175 yd00
Jun 30, 2014EF00.7 mi120 yd00
Jun 30, 2014EF18.7 mi415 yd00
Jun 30, 2014EF23.9 mi240 yd00
Jun 30, 2014EF04.4 mi295 yd00
Jun 30, 2014EF115.8 mi175 yd00
Jun 30, 2014EF13.2 mi110 yd00
Jun 30, 2014EF15.5 mi450 yd00
Jun 30, 2014EF12.7 mi110 yd00
Jun 30, 2014EF03.1 mi45 yd00
Jun 30, 2014EF110.3 mi150 yd00
Nov 17, 2013EF10.16 mi150 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Jun 11, 20263 SSE Hopkins ParkNot yet rated
Mar 10, 20264 NE Hopkins ParkNot yet rated
Mar 10, 20262 N Hopkins ParkNot yet rated
Mar 10, 20261 NW Kankakee AirportNot yet rated
Mar 10, 20263 W Kankakee AirportNot 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.

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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.