Mercer County, Illinois tornadoes

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46confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1952). Most recent: June 3, 2025, EF1. 2026 so far: 1 preliminary report 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 Mercer County

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The record

At a glance

Total461950 to 2025
Per year0.6average since 1950
Peak monthApril16 of 46
StrongestF3Jun 14, 1974
Deaths0whole paths, see note
Injuries6whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

160 Jan: 0Feb: 0Mar: 0Apr: 16May: 6Jun: 10Jul: 8Aug: 3Sep: 0Oct: 0Nov: 2Dec: 1JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April is the peak month, with 16 of 46 tornadoes.

By time of day

100 12 AM: 0: 0: 03 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 0: 012 PM: 2: 1: 33 PM: 2: 4: 106 PM: 6: 9: 59 PM: 2: 0: 212 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

80 1950: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01960: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 1: 1: 3: 0: 0: 0: 1: 01980: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 2: 1: 0: 3: 12000: 0: 0: 0: 8: 0: 0: 4: 0: 0: 02010: 0: 0: 0: 0: 3: 3: 0: 1: 0: 12020: 2: 0: 2: 0: 1: 419501960197019801990200020102020

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: 1 preliminary reports.

By rating

EF0
14
EF1
22
EF2
6
EF3
2
Unknown
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.

The record

Notable tornadoes

Strongest

F3, June 14, 1974

48.6 mile path Longest path

48.6 miles, F3

June 14, 1974, whole path Widest

880 yards, F2

June 18, 1998
Every tornado

All 46 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Jun 3, 2025EF13.79 mi100 yd00
Jun 3, 2025EF110.84 mi250 yd00
Jun 3, 2025EF11.57 mi175 yd00
Apr 20, 2025EF00.86 mi25 yd00
Jul 15, 2024EF124.69 mi100 yd00
Aug 20, 2022EFU2.83 mi10 yd00
Aug 20, 2022EFU0.27 mi10 yd00
Nov 10, 2020EF10.54 mi30 yd00
Nov 10, 2020EF120.34 mi50 yd00
Jun 15, 2019EF10.68 mi40 yd00
May 17, 2017EF18.11 mi150 yd00
Dec 23, 2015EF010.62 mi50 yd00
Jun 11, 2015EF15.94 mi50 yd00
May 24, 2015EF26.75 mi50 yd00
Jul 12, 2014EF12.78 mi50 yd00
Jul 12, 2014EF13.7 mi100 yd00
Jul 12, 2014EF00.38 mi50 yd00
Apr 13, 2006F10.8 mi200 yd00
Apr 13, 2006F22 mi50 yd00
Apr 13, 2006F11.5 mi100 yd00
Apr 13, 2006F113 mi880 yd00
May 10, 2003F03.8 mi50 yd00
May 10, 2003F02.1 mi50 yd00
May 10, 2003F08.3 mi100 yd00
Apr 30, 2003F10.5 mi75 yd00
This year

2026 preliminary reports not yet confirmed

Report dateLocationRating
Apr 17, 20261 SW ViolaNot 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.