Perry County, Illinois tornadoes

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24confirmed tornadoes since NOAA records began in 1950 (the first here in 1951). Most recent: March 14, 2025, EF2. 2026 so far: 0 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.

The record

At a glance

Total241950 to 2025
Per year0.3average since 1950
Peak monthDecember6 of 24
StrongestF5Dec 18, 1957
Deaths1whole paths, see note
Injuries49whole paths, see note

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

Seasons

When tornadoes hit here

By month

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

December is the peak month, with 6 of 24 tornadoes.

By time of day

40 12 AM: 0: 1: 23 AM: 0: 0: 06 AM: 0: 0: 09 AM: 0: 1: 112 PM: 1: 1: 33 PM: 3: 2: 46 PM: 1: 3: 09 PM: 0: 0: 112 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

40 1950: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 4: 1: 11960: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 01970: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01980: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 01990: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 0: 1: 0: 1: 02000: 0: 1: 0: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 0: 22010: 0: 1: 0: 0: 0: 2: 0: 1: 0: 02020: 1: 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.

By rating

EF0
6
EF1
7
EF2
4
EF3
6
EF5
1

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

F5, December 18, 1957

1 deaths, 6 injuries Strongest

F5, December 18, 1957

5.4 mile path Longest path

112.1 miles, F2

March 6, 1961, whole path Widest

400 yards, F3

December 21, 1967
Every tornado

All 24 tornadoes, newest first

DateRatingPath lengthWidthDeathsInjuries
Mar 14, 2025EF215.16 mi250 yd00
Mar 19, 2020EF13.17 mi125 yd01
Nov 18, 2017EF00.68 mi30 yd00
Dec 23, 2015EF15.03 mi200 yd00
Jun 19, 2015EF00.1 mi30 yd00
Jun 19, 2011EF13.22 mi250 yd01
Jun 8, 2009EF14.82 mi300 yd00
Jun 8, 2009EF00.44 mi100 yd00
May 30, 2004F112 mi75 yd00
May 31, 2001F00.1 mi30 yd00
Apr 15, 1998F01 mi50 yd00
Apr 19, 1996F12.5 mi100 yd00
May 29, 1982F310 mi200 yd07
Jun 17, 1973F00.1 mi10 yd00
May 7, 1973F20.1 mi10 yd00
Dec 21, 1967F329.8 mi400 yd015
Mar 6, 1961F2112.1 mi50 yd00
Sep 26, 1959F10.3 mi130 yd00
Apr 5, 1958F320.6 mi100 yd011
Dec 18, 1957F55.4 mi200 yd16
Dec 18, 1957F32.5 mi10 yd01
Dec 18, 1957F317.7 mi10 yd00
Dec 18, 1957F320.2 mi10 yd00
Nov 13, 1951F27.1 mi250 yd07
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.